Use synthetic substitution to evaluate the polynomial for the given value x = -3.
P(x) = x^3 + 3x^2 + 4
P(-3) = ________ Enter a number only.

Question

Use synthetic substitution to evaluate the polynomial for the given value x = -3. 
P(x) = x^3 + 3x^2 + 4 
P(-3) = ________  Enter a number only.

anonymous · Answer

$$P(-3)=(-3)^3 +3(-3)^2 +4$$
Can you evaluate the brackets and then simplify?

directrix · Answer

@Traxter  Is that technique Synthetic Division?

anonymous · Answer

No it's synthetic substitution like it says in the question.

directrix · Answer

Sorry for the intrusion. I know that technique as the Remainder Theorem.

anonymous · Answer

As do I, but the question asks for the value of $P(-3)$, I can't think of any other substitution method you could use to work it out.

directrix · Answer

I just read that Synthetic Division appears to now be known as Synthetic Substitution. News to me. http://homepage.smc.edu/kennedy_john/SyntheticExamples.pdf

anonymous · Answer

do you have a question on what they just said?

anonymous · Answer

synthetic substitution-the process of using synthetic division to evaluate p(c) for a polynomial p(x) and a number c.
The remainder from synthetic division by x – c is equal to p(c).

anonymous · Answer

so if you solved this youl get P(-3) = x^3 + 3x^2 + 4=4

anonymous · Answer

it should be 4

anonymous · Answer

yes its 4

anonymous · Answer

thanks guys!