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20 votes
20 votes
Given f(x)=3x^3+2x+k and x+1is a factor of f(x) then what is the value of k

User Nverinaud
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1 Answer

6 votes
6 votes

If x+1 is a factor of f(x), then x=-1 is a zero of f(x). This means f(-1) = 0.

With k in the function,

f(-1) = 3(-1)^3 + 2(-1) + k

= -3 -2 + k

= -5 + k

If that has to equal 0, then k = 5.

User Faranjit
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2.8k points
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