Question

Question 3 has got me lost, need help much appreciated

Answer 1

Answer:

E. a = 2

Step-by-step explanation:

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The question is asking for what the value of a is for the given polynomial.

They gave you a factor to that polynomial, (x+a), and told you that a can be any real number beside 0.

You might remember that when you factor an equation, all you're doing is finding for what value of x will give you an answer of 0.

This is what you're doing now but in reverse. You're given x+a as a factor, so you know that x=-a will make the function equal 0.

So plug x=-a into the function and solve for a. You'd find that you get a=0 and a=2; however, the question stated that a≠0, so the only answer left is a=2.