How do you use the factor theorem to determine whether x-2 is a factor of 4x^3 – 3x^2 – 8x + 4?

2 Answers
Jun 8, 2018

see below

Explanation:

the factor theorem states

(x-a) " is a factor of "f(x) <=>f(a)=0

f(x)=4x^3-3x^2-8x+4

"we have " (x-2)=>a=2

f(2)=4xx2^3-3xx2^2-8xx2+4

f(2)=4xx8-3xx4-16+4

f(2)=32-12-16+4

f(2)=8!=0

:.x-2" is not a factor of "4x^3-3x^2-8x+4

however by the remainder theorem when

f(x)=4x^3-3x^2-8x+4" is divided by "(x-2) " the remainder is "8

the factor theorem being a special case of the remainder theorem

Jun 8, 2018

"not a factor"

Explanation:

"if "x-2" is a factor then "f(2)=0

4(2)^3-3(2)^2-8(2)+4=8

"hence "x-2" is not a factor of "4x^3-3x^2-8x+4