What does the factor theorem mean?

2 Answers
Harish Chandra Rajpoot
Jun 19, 2018

According to Factor Theorem: If #x=a# satisfies the polynomial #P(x)# i.e. if #x=a# is a root of the polynomial equation #P(x)=0# then #(x-a)# will be a factor of polynomial #P(x)#

Tony B
Jun 19, 2018

See explanation

Explanation:

Suppose you have an equation. For example: #y=x^2-x-12#

In this case if we set #y=0# and substitute #4# for #x# then we have: #y=(4)^2-(4)-12 = 16-4-12 =0#

So if the equation equals 0 #->f(x)=0#

and by substituting #x=4 ->f(4)# we get the answer #f(4)=0#

then by using #(x-4)("something else") ->0("something else")=0#
So #(x-4)# is a factor of #f(x)#

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