How to find the unknowns in a polynomial equation given the details? [closed]
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My question: When the expression $x^3+ax^2-x+2$ is divided by $x+1$, the remainder is four times as great as the remainder when the expression is divided by$x-2$. Find the value of $a$.
My problems: I couldn't quite get the pieces of information that are provided, for instance 'the remainder is four times as great as the remainder' part.
Can someone please show me some working outs? Thank you!
algebra-precalculus polynomials
closed as off-topic by user21820, amWhy, Did, Xander Henderson, Carl Mummert Nov 19 at 1:52
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question is missing context or other details: Please improve the question by providing additional context, which ideally includes your thoughts on the problem and any attempts you have made to solve it. This information helps others identify where you have difficulties and helps them write answers appropriate to your experience level." – user21820, amWhy, Did, Xander Henderson, Carl Mummert
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
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up vote
-1
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My question: When the expression $x^3+ax^2-x+2$ is divided by $x+1$, the remainder is four times as great as the remainder when the expression is divided by$x-2$. Find the value of $a$.
My problems: I couldn't quite get the pieces of information that are provided, for instance 'the remainder is four times as great as the remainder' part.
Can someone please show me some working outs? Thank you!
algebra-precalculus polynomials
closed as off-topic by user21820, amWhy, Did, Xander Henderson, Carl Mummert Nov 19 at 1:52
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question is missing context or other details: Please improve the question by providing additional context, which ideally includes your thoughts on the problem and any attempts you have made to solve it. This information helps others identify where you have difficulties and helps them write answers appropriate to your experience level." – user21820, amWhy, Did, Xander Henderson, Carl Mummert
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
Is $a=-2$ the final answer?
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:17
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
My question: When the expression $x^3+ax^2-x+2$ is divided by $x+1$, the remainder is four times as great as the remainder when the expression is divided by$x-2$. Find the value of $a$.
My problems: I couldn't quite get the pieces of information that are provided, for instance 'the remainder is four times as great as the remainder' part.
Can someone please show me some working outs? Thank you!
algebra-precalculus polynomials
My question: When the expression $x^3+ax^2-x+2$ is divided by $x+1$, the remainder is four times as great as the remainder when the expression is divided by$x-2$. Find the value of $a$.
My problems: I couldn't quite get the pieces of information that are provided, for instance 'the remainder is four times as great as the remainder' part.
Can someone please show me some working outs? Thank you!
algebra-precalculus polynomials
algebra-precalculus polynomials
asked Nov 17 at 10:12
Tfue
857
857
closed as off-topic by user21820, amWhy, Did, Xander Henderson, Carl Mummert Nov 19 at 1:52
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question is missing context or other details: Please improve the question by providing additional context, which ideally includes your thoughts on the problem and any attempts you have made to solve it. This information helps others identify where you have difficulties and helps them write answers appropriate to your experience level." – user21820, amWhy, Did, Xander Henderson, Carl Mummert
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as off-topic by user21820, amWhy, Did, Xander Henderson, Carl Mummert Nov 19 at 1:52
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "This question is missing context or other details: Please improve the question by providing additional context, which ideally includes your thoughts on the problem and any attempts you have made to solve it. This information helps others identify where you have difficulties and helps them write answers appropriate to your experience level." – user21820, amWhy, Did, Xander Henderson, Carl Mummert
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
Is $a=-2$ the final answer?
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:17
add a comment |
Is $a=-2$ the final answer?
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:17
Is $a=-2$ the final answer?
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:17
Is $a=-2$ the final answer?
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:17
add a comment |
2 Answers
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The question essentially says that $$f(-1) = 4cdot f(2)$$ On simplifying we get, $$2+a = 8+4a$$ Giving us $$a=-2$$
So thats it? What does the 'the remainder is four times as great as the remainder' part contributes?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:24
It says that if you divide the polynomial by the first expression the remainder which is equivalent to $f(-1)$ is $4$ times the remainder that we get on dividing by $x-2$ which is equivalent to $f(2)$. That information helps us write the relation between the two allowing us to solve for $a$
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:25
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
When we divide some polynomial(dividend) by another polynomial(divisor), we get a quotient polynomial, and a remainder polynomial, whose degree is certainly less than the degree of the divisor polynomial.
The question is telling us the relationship between two remainders : one that you get when you divide $x^3+ax^2-x+2$ by $x+1$, and the other that you get when you divide $x^3+ax^2 - x+2$ by $x-2$. It is then asking you to find the value of $a$ with this information. In more simple terms :
Let $r_1$ be the remainder obtained when the polynomial $x^3+ax^2 - x +2$ is divided by the polynomial $x+1$. Let $r_2$ be the remainder obtained when the polynomial $x^3 + ax^2 - x + 2$ is divided by $x-2$. It is known that $r_1 = 4 times r_2$. Find the value of $a$.
If this rewrite is also unclear, please inform me.
EDIT : The remainder theorem is the key to finding $r_1$ and $r_2$ above, since it expresses these quantities in terms of the dividend and divisor polynomial.
Knowing that $r_1 = 4r_2$ then leaves us with an linear equation where $a$ is the sole variable.
Hey thanks for replyin! so is the answer by Mr.Nagpal below right?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:34
Yes, thank you but from how i interpreted you explanations, i thought the equation would be $a+2 = 4(8+4a)$
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:44
I have made a mistake. Please forgive me. You are correct : it is four times the remainder,not the remainder itself. The answer below is also wrong. But this is still a linear equation in one variable. Somehow, the answer is still the same.
– астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг
Nov 17 at 10:45
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
The question essentially says that $$f(-1) = 4cdot f(2)$$ On simplifying we get, $$2+a = 8+4a$$ Giving us $$a=-2$$
So thats it? What does the 'the remainder is four times as great as the remainder' part contributes?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:24
It says that if you divide the polynomial by the first expression the remainder which is equivalent to $f(-1)$ is $4$ times the remainder that we get on dividing by $x-2$ which is equivalent to $f(2)$. That information helps us write the relation between the two allowing us to solve for $a$
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:25
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
The question essentially says that $$f(-1) = 4cdot f(2)$$ On simplifying we get, $$2+a = 8+4a$$ Giving us $$a=-2$$
So thats it? What does the 'the remainder is four times as great as the remainder' part contributes?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:24
It says that if you divide the polynomial by the first expression the remainder which is equivalent to $f(-1)$ is $4$ times the remainder that we get on dividing by $x-2$ which is equivalent to $f(2)$. That information helps us write the relation between the two allowing us to solve for $a$
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:25
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
The question essentially says that $$f(-1) = 4cdot f(2)$$ On simplifying we get, $$2+a = 8+4a$$ Giving us $$a=-2$$
The question essentially says that $$f(-1) = 4cdot f(2)$$ On simplifying we get, $$2+a = 8+4a$$ Giving us $$a=-2$$
answered Nov 17 at 10:21
Prakhar Nagpal
600318
600318
So thats it? What does the 'the remainder is four times as great as the remainder' part contributes?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:24
It says that if you divide the polynomial by the first expression the remainder which is equivalent to $f(-1)$ is $4$ times the remainder that we get on dividing by $x-2$ which is equivalent to $f(2)$. That information helps us write the relation between the two allowing us to solve for $a$
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:25
add a comment |
So thats it? What does the 'the remainder is four times as great as the remainder' part contributes?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:24
It says that if you divide the polynomial by the first expression the remainder which is equivalent to $f(-1)$ is $4$ times the remainder that we get on dividing by $x-2$ which is equivalent to $f(2)$. That information helps us write the relation between the two allowing us to solve for $a$
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:25
So thats it? What does the 'the remainder is four times as great as the remainder' part contributes?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:24
So thats it? What does the 'the remainder is four times as great as the remainder' part contributes?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:24
It says that if you divide the polynomial by the first expression the remainder which is equivalent to $f(-1)$ is $4$ times the remainder that we get on dividing by $x-2$ which is equivalent to $f(2)$. That information helps us write the relation between the two allowing us to solve for $a$
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:25
It says that if you divide the polynomial by the first expression the remainder which is equivalent to $f(-1)$ is $4$ times the remainder that we get on dividing by $x-2$ which is equivalent to $f(2)$. That information helps us write the relation between the two allowing us to solve for $a$
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:25
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
When we divide some polynomial(dividend) by another polynomial(divisor), we get a quotient polynomial, and a remainder polynomial, whose degree is certainly less than the degree of the divisor polynomial.
The question is telling us the relationship between two remainders : one that you get when you divide $x^3+ax^2-x+2$ by $x+1$, and the other that you get when you divide $x^3+ax^2 - x+2$ by $x-2$. It is then asking you to find the value of $a$ with this information. In more simple terms :
Let $r_1$ be the remainder obtained when the polynomial $x^3+ax^2 - x +2$ is divided by the polynomial $x+1$. Let $r_2$ be the remainder obtained when the polynomial $x^3 + ax^2 - x + 2$ is divided by $x-2$. It is known that $r_1 = 4 times r_2$. Find the value of $a$.
If this rewrite is also unclear, please inform me.
EDIT : The remainder theorem is the key to finding $r_1$ and $r_2$ above, since it expresses these quantities in terms of the dividend and divisor polynomial.
Knowing that $r_1 = 4r_2$ then leaves us with an linear equation where $a$ is the sole variable.
Hey thanks for replyin! so is the answer by Mr.Nagpal below right?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:34
Yes, thank you but from how i interpreted you explanations, i thought the equation would be $a+2 = 4(8+4a)$
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:44
I have made a mistake. Please forgive me. You are correct : it is four times the remainder,not the remainder itself. The answer below is also wrong. But this is still a linear equation in one variable. Somehow, the answer is still the same.
– астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг
Nov 17 at 10:45
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
When we divide some polynomial(dividend) by another polynomial(divisor), we get a quotient polynomial, and a remainder polynomial, whose degree is certainly less than the degree of the divisor polynomial.
The question is telling us the relationship between two remainders : one that you get when you divide $x^3+ax^2-x+2$ by $x+1$, and the other that you get when you divide $x^3+ax^2 - x+2$ by $x-2$. It is then asking you to find the value of $a$ with this information. In more simple terms :
Let $r_1$ be the remainder obtained when the polynomial $x^3+ax^2 - x +2$ is divided by the polynomial $x+1$. Let $r_2$ be the remainder obtained when the polynomial $x^3 + ax^2 - x + 2$ is divided by $x-2$. It is known that $r_1 = 4 times r_2$. Find the value of $a$.
If this rewrite is also unclear, please inform me.
EDIT : The remainder theorem is the key to finding $r_1$ and $r_2$ above, since it expresses these quantities in terms of the dividend and divisor polynomial.
Knowing that $r_1 = 4r_2$ then leaves us with an linear equation where $a$ is the sole variable.
Hey thanks for replyin! so is the answer by Mr.Nagpal below right?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:34
Yes, thank you but from how i interpreted you explanations, i thought the equation would be $a+2 = 4(8+4a)$
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:44
I have made a mistake. Please forgive me. You are correct : it is four times the remainder,not the remainder itself. The answer below is also wrong. But this is still a linear equation in one variable. Somehow, the answer is still the same.
– астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг
Nov 17 at 10:45
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
When we divide some polynomial(dividend) by another polynomial(divisor), we get a quotient polynomial, and a remainder polynomial, whose degree is certainly less than the degree of the divisor polynomial.
The question is telling us the relationship between two remainders : one that you get when you divide $x^3+ax^2-x+2$ by $x+1$, and the other that you get when you divide $x^3+ax^2 - x+2$ by $x-2$. It is then asking you to find the value of $a$ with this information. In more simple terms :
Let $r_1$ be the remainder obtained when the polynomial $x^3+ax^2 - x +2$ is divided by the polynomial $x+1$. Let $r_2$ be the remainder obtained when the polynomial $x^3 + ax^2 - x + 2$ is divided by $x-2$. It is known that $r_1 = 4 times r_2$. Find the value of $a$.
If this rewrite is also unclear, please inform me.
EDIT : The remainder theorem is the key to finding $r_1$ and $r_2$ above, since it expresses these quantities in terms of the dividend and divisor polynomial.
Knowing that $r_1 = 4r_2$ then leaves us with an linear equation where $a$ is the sole variable.
When we divide some polynomial(dividend) by another polynomial(divisor), we get a quotient polynomial, and a remainder polynomial, whose degree is certainly less than the degree of the divisor polynomial.
The question is telling us the relationship between two remainders : one that you get when you divide $x^3+ax^2-x+2$ by $x+1$, and the other that you get when you divide $x^3+ax^2 - x+2$ by $x-2$. It is then asking you to find the value of $a$ with this information. In more simple terms :
Let $r_1$ be the remainder obtained when the polynomial $x^3+ax^2 - x +2$ is divided by the polynomial $x+1$. Let $r_2$ be the remainder obtained when the polynomial $x^3 + ax^2 - x + 2$ is divided by $x-2$. It is known that $r_1 = 4 times r_2$. Find the value of $a$.
If this rewrite is also unclear, please inform me.
EDIT : The remainder theorem is the key to finding $r_1$ and $r_2$ above, since it expresses these quantities in terms of the dividend and divisor polynomial.
Knowing that $r_1 = 4r_2$ then leaves us with an linear equation where $a$ is the sole variable.
answered Nov 17 at 10:29
астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг
36.4k33375
36.4k33375
Hey thanks for replyin! so is the answer by Mr.Nagpal below right?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:34
Yes, thank you but from how i interpreted you explanations, i thought the equation would be $a+2 = 4(8+4a)$
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:44
I have made a mistake. Please forgive me. You are correct : it is four times the remainder,not the remainder itself. The answer below is also wrong. But this is still a linear equation in one variable. Somehow, the answer is still the same.
– астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг
Nov 17 at 10:45
add a comment |
Hey thanks for replyin! so is the answer by Mr.Nagpal below right?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:34
Yes, thank you but from how i interpreted you explanations, i thought the equation would be $a+2 = 4(8+4a)$
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:44
I have made a mistake. Please forgive me. You are correct : it is four times the remainder,not the remainder itself. The answer below is also wrong. But this is still a linear equation in one variable. Somehow, the answer is still the same.
– астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг
Nov 17 at 10:45
Hey thanks for replyin! so is the answer by Mr.Nagpal below right?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:34
Hey thanks for replyin! so is the answer by Mr.Nagpal below right?
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:34
Yes, thank you but from how i interpreted you explanations, i thought the equation would be $a+2 = 4(8+4a)$
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:44
Yes, thank you but from how i interpreted you explanations, i thought the equation would be $a+2 = 4(8+4a)$
– Tfue
Nov 17 at 10:44
I have made a mistake. Please forgive me. You are correct : it is four times the remainder,not the remainder itself. The answer below is also wrong. But this is still a linear equation in one variable. Somehow, the answer is still the same.
– астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг
Nov 17 at 10:45
I have made a mistake. Please forgive me. You are correct : it is four times the remainder,not the remainder itself. The answer below is also wrong. But this is still a linear equation in one variable. Somehow, the answer is still the same.
– астон вілла олоф мэллбэрг
Nov 17 at 10:45
add a comment |
Is $a=-2$ the final answer?
– Prakhar Nagpal
Nov 17 at 10:17