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 a polynomial by a linear binomial of the form x - k. It involves using the coefficients of the polynomial and the value of k to perform the division without writing out the entire polynomial long division. This technique is particularly useful for quickly finding the quotient and remainder when dividing by a linear factor.
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Polynomial Representation
A polynomial can be expressed in the form ƒ(x) = (x - k)q(x) + r, where q(x) is the quotient polynomial and r is the remainder. This representation highlights how the original polynomial can be decomposed into a product of a linear factor and another polynomial, plus a constant remainder. Understanding this form is essential for interpreting the results of synthetic division.
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Introduction to Polynomials
Remainder Theorem
The Remainder Theorem states that when a polynomial ƒ(x) is divided by x - k, the remainder of this division is equal to ƒ(k). This theorem provides a quick way to evaluate the polynomial at a specific point and is directly applicable in synthetic division, as it allows us to find the remainder without performing the full division process.
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