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Is x+3 a factor of x^4-2x^3-15x^2-14x-12

1 Answer

7 votes
Use synthetic division here, if you know it. Use -3 as divisor and use the coefficients 1 -2 -15 -14 -12. If there is no remainder, then x+3 is a factor of the given polynomial.

_____________________
-3 / 1 -2 -15 -14 -12
-3 15 0 42
---------------------------------
1 -5 0 -14 30

There's a non-zero remainder: 30. This means that the polynomial has the value 30 when x = -3, and that (x+3) is NOT a factor of the poly.
User NaturalDemon
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