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Can we conclude that x - 4 is a factor of the polynomial


4x^3 - 20x^2 + 18x - 12 ?

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1 Answer

7 votes

Answer:

No. We can conclude that (x-4) is not a factor of the polynomial.

Explanation:

The polynomial remainder theorem tells you (x-4) will be a factor of the polynomial f(x) if and only if f(4) = 0. When we evaluate ...

f(x) = 4x³ -20x² +18x -12

at x=4, we find that f(4) = -4. This is not zero, so (x-4) is not a factor of f(x).

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The evaluation is perhaps easiest done by hand when the function is written in Horner form:

f(x) = ((4x -20)x +18)x -12

f(4) = ((4·4 -10)4 +18)4 -12 = ((-4)4 +18)4 -12 = 2·4 -12

f(4) = -4

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The one real factor of this polynomial is irrational, and the remaining factors are complex and irrational.

Can we conclude that x - 4 is a factor of the polynomial 4x^3 - 20x^2 + 18x - 12 ? How-example-1
User Ssundarraj
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