What does the factor theorem mean?

2 Answers

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)

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)