Use factor theorem to determine if the factors given are factors of f(x)

F(x)=x^3-3x^2-13x+15

A. (X+3)

B. (x-5)

Can anyone help? I am not for sure where to start.

@precal

Question

Use factor theorem to determine if the factors given are factors of f(x)

F(x)=x^3-3x^2-13x+15

A. (X+3)

B. (x-5)

Can anyone help?  I am not for sure where to start.

@precal

cruffo · Answer

Factor thm: If you divide the polynomial by (x-c) and get a remainder of 0, then (x-c) is a factor of the polynomial. Use synthetic division!

anonymous · Answer

Oh that's it? I guess the directions confused me thank you.

cruffo · Answer

No prob.

precal · Answer

calculate f(-3)
and f(5)
if they are equal to zero then they are factors.
You can also do synthetic division using -3 and 5 and look for the remainder to be zero.  If it is zero, then it is a factor

cruffo · Answer

@precal is  using the remainder theorem :)