How do you use the factor theorem to determine whether v+5 is a factor of #v^4 + 16v^3 + 8v^2 - 725#?

1 Answer
Dec 22, 2015

To find if v+5 is a factor then plug in v=-5 in the given polynomial, if the result obtained is zero, then it is a factor.

Explanation:

If #x-a# is a factor of the polynomial #P(x)# then by factor theorem #P(a)=0#.

Our question we have to check if #v+5# is a factor of #v^4+16v^3+8v^2-725#

#(-5)^4 + 16(-5)^3 + 8(-5)^2 - 725#

#=625 -2000 + 200 - 725#

#=-1900#

#We infer that v+5 is not a factor.#