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Is (x-4) a factor of f(x) = x³ - 2x² + 5x + 1? Explain your reasoning.

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Answer:

No, (x-4) is not a factor of f(x) = x³ - 2x² + 5x + 1.

Explanation:

To determine whether (x-4) is a factor of a polynomial, we can try to divide the polynomial by (x-4) using polynomial long division. If the division is successful and the remainder is zero, then (x-4) is a factor of the polynomial.

If we divide f(x) by (x-4) using polynomial long division, we get:

x³ - 2x² + 5x + 1

(x-4)

x² - 4x

x² + x

x + 4

-----

x + 3

Since the remainder is not zero, (x-4) is not a factor of f(x).

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