Use complete sentences and proper grammar to explain how the Remainder Theorem can be used to find f(-2) if f(x)=x^4-3x^3+2x^2+7x+5

Question

 Use complete sentences and proper grammar to explain how the Remainder Theorem can be used to find f(-2) if f(x)=x^4-3x^3+2x^2+7x+5

ALSO

What advantage is there to using the Remainder Theorem in the situation in Question 1, rather than evaluating f(-2)  directly? Use complete sentences

Answer 1

Alexis,

 

The remainder theorem says that f(a) is the remainder if you divide a function by x-a. By using it, you perform synthetic division on the function so if a happens to be a root, x-a is a factor and you break down the polynomial further.

 

Hope that helps!