Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Synthetic Division
Synthetic division is a simplified method for dividing polynomials, particularly useful when dividing by linear factors. It involves using the coefficients of the polynomial and a specific value derived from the divisor to perform the division in a streamlined manner, avoiding the more complex long division process.
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Polynomial Functions
A polynomial function is a mathematical expression involving a sum of powers in one or more variables multiplied by coefficients. In this case, the polynomial 3x^2 + 7x - 20 is a quadratic function, which is essential to understand as it represents the dividend in the division process.
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Remainder Theorem
The Remainder Theorem states that when a polynomial f(x) is divided by a linear divisor of the form (x - c), the remainder of this division is equal to f(c). This theorem is useful in synthetic division as it helps to quickly determine the remainder without performing the entire division process.
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