Question

4 If 1 is a zero of the polynomial p (x) = 2x4 − ax3 + 4x2 + 2x + 1, then find the value of 'a'.

Answer 1

a = 8

Explanation:

Backtrack with synthetic division and solve for "a":

1 | 2 -a 4 2 1

____ 1_-7 -3 -1

2 -7 -3 -1 | 0

-a + 1 = -7

-a = -8

a = 8