Question

"For the given polynomial P(x) and the given value of c, use the remainder theorem to find P(c).

P(x) = 3x² - 3x² - 5x + 3; c = -4

Find P(c) and simplify your answer."

Answer 1

Using the Remainder Theorem to evaluate the polynomial P(x) = -5x + 3 for c = -4, we substitute -4 for x to get P(-4) = 23.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question asks how to apply the Remainder Theorem to evaluate a polynomial at a given value. It first gives a polynomial P(x) = 3x² - 3x² - 5x + 3 and asks to find P(c) for c = -4. However, the polynomial has a mistake: the term 3x² is repeated. Assuming the correct polynomial is P(x) = - 5x + 3, we substitute c in place of x to find P(c).

So we compute P(-4), which is -5(-4) + 3 = 20 + 3 = 23. The simplified answer is therefore 23. When evaluating polynomials, it's crucial to pay attention to any typographical errors in the original polynomial provided.