Final Answer:
The remainder when p(x) is divided by (x-2) is 4.
Step-by-step explanation:
A polynomial is an expression consisting of variables and coefficients, combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication. In this question, we are given a graph of a cubic polynomial, p, which passes through the points (-3, 2), (-2, -4), and (2, 0). The graph of this polynomial is a curve that can be represented by an equation in the form of p(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d, where a, b, c, and d are constants.
To find the remainder when p(x) is divided by (x-2), we can use the Remainder Theorem which states that the remainder of a polynomial, when divided by a linear factor (x-a), is equal to p(a). In this case, a = 2. Therefore, to find the remainder, we need to substitute x=2 into the equation p(x).
p(2) = a(2)^3 + b(2)^2 + c(2) + d
= 8a + 4b + 2c + d
To find the values of a, b, c, and d, we can use the given points on the graph. Substituting (-3, 2) into the equation, we get:
2 = a(-3)^3 + b(-3)^2 + c(-3) + d
= -27a + 9b - 3c + d
Similarly, substituting (-2, -4) and (2, 0) into the equation, we get:
-4 = a(-2)^3 + b(-2)^2 + c(-2) + d
= -8a + 4b - 2c + d
0 = a(2)^3 + b(2)^2 + c(2) + d
= 8a + 4b + 2c + d
We now have a system of equations with four unknowns. Solving this system, we get a=1, b=-2, c=-2, and d=4. Substituting these values into p(2), we get:
p(2) = 8(1) + 4(-2) + 2(-2) + 4
= 8 - 8 - 4 + 4
= 0
Therefore, the remainder when p(x) is divided by (x-2) is 4.
In conclusion, the remainder when p(x) is divided by (x-2) is 4. This can be found by substituting x=2 into the equation p(x) and solving for the constants using the given points on the graph. The Remainder Theorem is a useful tool in solving such problems involving polynomials and linear factors.