SAT subject test question:
Which of the following is NOT a factor of x^4-3x^3-11x^2+3x+10?
a) x+1
b)x-1
c)x+2
d)x-2
e)x-5

Question

SAT subject test question:
Which of the following is NOT a factor of x^4-3x^3-11x^2+3x+10?
a) x+1
b)x-1
c)x+2
d)x-2
e)x-5

zepdrix · Answer

Hmm I don't think there is a nice easy way of dealing with 4th order polynomials.
I THINK our only good option is to take each option that they've given us, and apply polynomial long division.

Whichever option gives us a REMAINDER is the one that is NOT a factor of our polynomial.

zepdrix · Answer

Remember how to divide these things? :)

zepdrix · Answer

Oh I take that back, you could also apply `Synthetic Division` if you're more comfortable with that.

usukidoll · Answer

true but what if the poster didn't learn Synthetic Division yet?

usukidoll · Answer

that's algebra 2/precalculus topic

anonymous · Answer

Thank you!