Question

Difficulty: EasyPolynomial Factors and Graphs

A polynomial p(x)p(x) has a remainder of 33 when divided by x5x - 5. Which of the following equations must be true?

  1. A
    p(5)=3p(-5) = 3
  2. B
    p(5)=0p(5) = 0
  3. p(5)=3p(5) = 3Answer
  4. D
    p(3)=0p(3) = 0

Answer

The equation p(5)=3p(5) = 3 must be true.
According to the Remainder Theorem, when a polynomial p(x)p(x) is divided by a linear expression of the form xcx - c, the remainder is equal to p(c)p(c). Here, the divisor is x5x - 5, which gives c=5c = 5. The remainder is given as 33. Therefore, evaluating the polynomial at x=5x = 5 must yield 33, which is written as p(5)=3p(5) = 3.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the divisor and the remainder from the given problem statement.
The divisor is x5x - 5 and the remainder is 33.
Applying the Remainder Theorem requires identifying the value of cc in the divisor form xcx - c and the remainder value.
2
Apply the Remainder Theorem to relate the divisor and the remainder to the polynomial function.
Since the divisor is x5x - 5, we have c=5c = 5. The Remainder Theorem states that the remainder when p(x)p(x) is divided by xcx - c is p(c)p(c). Therefore, p(5)=3p(5) = 3.
This establishes the mathematical relationship directly showing which equation must be true.

Key Concept

The Remainder Theorem
Estimated Time:45s
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