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Use the remainder theorem and synthetic division to find h(3) if h(x) = 3x^4 −16x^3 +20x^2 +7x−13.

User Harinder
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Final Answer:

The value of h(3) is -729.

Step-by-step explanation:

We can utilize the Remainder Theorem and Synthetic Division to find h(3).

Remainder Theorem: When a polynomial p(x) is divided by x - a, the remainder is p(a).

Synthetic Division: This method simplifies the division process using a table format.

Here's how to find h(3) through synthetic division:

Step 1: Set up the table:

| | 3 | -16 | 20 | 7 | -13 |

|---|---|---|---|---|---|

| **3** | | | | | |

Step 2: Bring down the first coefficient:

| | 3 | -16 | 20 | 7 | -13 |

|---|---|---|---|---|---|

| **3** | 3 | | | | |

Step 3: Multiply the top term by the divisor (3) and write the result below the second term:

| | 3 | -16 | 20 | 7 | -13 |

|---|---|---|---|---|---|

| **3** | 3 | 9 | | | |

Step 4: Add the two numbers in the second column and write the sum below the line:

| | 3 | -16 | 20 | 7 | -13 |

|---|---|---|---|---|---|

| **3** | 3 | 9 | | | |

| | | -7 | | | |

Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the remaining terms:

| | 3 | -16 | 20 | 7 | -13 |

|---|---|---|---|---|---|

| **3** | 3 | 9 | -7 | | |

| | | -7 | 27 | -49 | |

| | | | -49 | 52 | -45 |

| | | | | -45 | -104 |

Step 6: The remainder is the last number in the bottom row:

The bottom row shows that the remainder after dividing h(x) by x - 3 is -104. Since the remainder theorem states that the remainder of p(x) divided by x - a is equal to p(a), we can conclude that h(3) = -104.

User TomaszSobczak
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