Difference between revisions of "Remainder Theorem"

(Proof and a Problem)
m (Removed redirect to Polynomial remainder theorem)
(Tag: Removed redirect)
 
(9 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
==Theorem==
+
'''Remainder Theorem''' may refer to:
The Remainder Theorem states that the remainder when the polynomial <math>P(x)</math> is divided by <math>x-a</math> (usually with synthetic division) is equal to the simplified value of <math>P(a)</math>.
+
*[[Polynomial Remainder Theorem]]
 
+
*[[Chinese Remainder Theorem]]
==Proof==
 
Let <math>\frac{p(x)}{x-a} = q(x) + \frac{r(x)}{x-a}</math>, where <math>p(x)</math> is the polynomial, <math>x-a</math> is the divisor, <math>q(x)</math> is the quotient, and <math>r(x)</math> is the remainder.  This equation can be rewritten as
 
<cmath>p(x) = q(x) \cdot (x-a) + r(x)</cmath>
 
If <math>x = a</math>, then substituting for <math>x</math> results in
 
<cmath>p(a) = q(a) \cdot (a - a) + r(a)</cmath>
 
<cmath>p(a) = q(a) \cdot 0 + r(a)</cmath>
 
<math></math>p(a) = r(a)
 
 
 
==Examples==
 
===Introductory===
 
* What is the remainder when <math>x^2+2x+3</math> is divided by <math>x+1</math>?
 
''Solution'': Using synthetic or long division we obtain the quotient <math>1+\frac{2}{x^2+2x+3}</math>. In this case the remainder is <math>2</math>. However, we could've figured that out by evaluating <math>P(-1)</math>. Remember, we want the divisor in the form of <math>x-a</math>. <math>x+1=x-(-1)</math> so <math>a=-1</math>.
 
<math>P(-1) = (-1)^2+2(-1)+3 = 1-2+3 = \boxed{2}</math>.
 
* [[1961 AHSME Problems/Problem 22]]
 
 
 
{{stub}}
 

Latest revision as of 16:42, 27 February 2022