polynomials

You need to know that if r is a root (or zero) of a polynomial then (x-r) is a factor of the polynomial
AND if (x-r) is a factor of a polynomial, then r is a root of the polynomial.

a)Therefore the only way (x-1) is a factor of p(x) is for x=1 to be a root of P(x).
So go and calculate what P(1) equals and smile when you get 0 (because if x=1 is a root, then (x-1) must be a factor!)

b) (x-2) is a factor implies x=? is a root?
 
Top