Question

Which of the following best describes the relationship between (x + 1) and the polynomial x2 - x - 2?

A. (x + 1) is a factor.
B. (x + 1) is not a factor.
C. It is impossible to tell whether (x + 1) is a factor.

Answer 1

can you factor x^2 - x - 2?

Answer 2

it comes out like (x + a)(x + b) though there might be negatives as well

Answer 3

to find a and b you need 2 numbers whose product is -2 and whose sum is -1

Answer 4

i have no idea how to do this at all

Answer 5

what 2 numbers fit a*b = -2 and a + b = -1?

Answer 6

OK if you cant do then use the Factor Theorem if (X + 1) is a factor then f(-1) = 0
f(x) = x^2 - x - 2
f(-1) = (-1)^2 - (-1) - 2
- does that work out to 0?

Answer 7

f(-1) just means f(x) where x = -1

Answer 8

no - try again
(-1)^2 = 1
-(-1) = what?

Answer 9

wait i think i get it

Answer 10

would the answer happen to be (x + 1) is not a factor.

Answer 11

NO
(-1)^2 -(-1) - 2 = 1 + 1 - 2 = 0
THEREFORE BY THE FACTOR THEOREM (X + 1) is A FACTOR

Answer 12

Crap sorry im not good at algebra

Answer 13

double negative -(-1) = +1
also -1 * -1 = + 1

Answer 14

ok

Answer 15

learn the basics and practice some and you'd be surprised...

Answer 16

gtg

Answer 17

How would you factor that polynomial?

Answer 18

you know the third term in the product you will get is -2

Answer 19

y=x^2+(a+b)x+ab
where we have (x+a)(x+b)