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

1 Answer
Roella W.
Jan 26, 2016

#(x+3)# is not a factor of the expression

Explanation:

By the Factor Theorem, if #(x+3)# is a factor of the expression then #x=-3# will be a zero of the expression. We can test this by substituting #x=-3# into the expression.
#2(-3)^4 +5(-3)^3 -2(-3)^2 +5(-3) +(-3)#
#=162-135-18-15-3#
#=-9 != 0#

Therefore #(x+3)# is not a factor of the expression.

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