Use synthetic division to find P(3) for P(X)=x^4-6x^3+10x-3

Question

mathmale · Answer

I assume y ou've done synth. div. before.  Could you put your finger on just what it is that led you to ask for help with this particular problem?  I'd just like to see where you are in the problem solving process.

anonymous · Answer

I used synthetic division problems for my homework I just don't understand what the problem is asking me to do

mathmale · Answer

I see.  Part of the beauty of synthetic div. is that if you divide by a numerical value (in this case, 3) that happens NOT to be a root of the polynomial, the remainder is the value of the function at that x-value.  Try it.  Please be sure that you use 0 for the coeff. of x^2.

For ref:  my result was f(3)=-54.

mathmale · Answer

To get you started:  

3 | 1   -6   0   10   -3

mathmale · Answer

If you like, take a cell phone photo of your work so far and share it with me; I could give you more specific feedback that way.

anonymous · Answer

I got 1x3-6x2+10x-3

anonymous · Answer

I mean 1x3+3x2+9x+37 with a remainder of 108