screwed8899 said:
When a polynomial P(x) is divided by x+3 the remainder is 8 and when divided by x-2 the remainder is 3. Find the remainder when P(x) is divided by (x-2)(x+3).
I got no idea what so ever...any help would be apprieciated!!
__
P(x)__ : remainder is 8
(x + 3)
.
(-3) = 8 <=== (A)
__
P(x)__ : remainder is 3
(x - 2)
.: P(2) = 3 <=== (B)
____
P(x)____ : remainder is (ax +b)
(x - 2)(x + 3)
Now: writing in the form: P(x) = A(x).Q(x) + R(x)
.: P(x) = (x - 2)(x + 3).Q(x) + (ax + b)
Subs x = 2
P(2) = 2a + b
But P(2) = 3 [from (B)]
.: 2a + b = 3 --------- (1)
Subs x = -3
P(-3) = -3a + b
But P(-3) = 8 [from (A)]
.: -3a + b = 8 -------(2)
(2) - (1):
-5a = 5
.: a = -1
Subs a = 5 into (1)
2 x -1 + b = 3
.: b = 5
.: since a = -1, b = 5 and remainder = (ax + b)
.: remainder = -x + 5