Question

Determine if x + 2 is a factor of p(x) = x 4 + 3x 3 + 4x 2 - 8 and explain why.

Answer 1

The Factor Theorem says (x - a) is a factor of function p(x) if p(a)=0

so check for p(-2)

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

= 16 - 24 +16 -8

= 0

so (x + 2) is a factor