How do you determine whether x+2 is a factor of the polynomial 3x^4+5x^3+x-2?

1 Answer
Apr 27, 2017

Have you ever done long or synthetic division? Both are good options, but difficult to "type" an answer to demonstrate.

Explanation:

Another great option would be to evaluate f(-2): 3(-2)^4+5(-2)^3+(-2)-2
= 3(16)+5(-8)-4
=48-44 = 4.

Since the answer is 4, that means there would be a remainder of 4 when we would divide the polynomial by x+ 2. It is not a factor.