How do you use the factor theorem to determine whether x+2 is a factor of x^4 - 3x - 5x43x5?

1 Answer
Dec 1, 2015

According to the Factor Theorem
f(-2)=0f(2)=0 if and only if (x+2)(x+2) is a factor of f(x)f(x)

Explanation:

Given f(x)=x^4-3x-5f(x)=x43x5

f(-2) = (-2)^4-3*(-2)-5 =16+6-5 = 17 !=0f(2)=(2)43(2)5=16+65=170

and therefore (x+2)(x+2) is not a factor of f(x)=x^4-3x-5f(x)=x43x5