SOLUTION: Hello, I am having trouble with using Synthetic division to find the remaining factors of a polynomial. Here is the polynomial and one of its remaining factors: 2x^3+17x^2+23x

Algebra ->  Algebra  -> Rational-functions -> SOLUTION: Hello, I am having trouble with using Synthetic division to find the remaining factors of a polynomial. Here is the polynomial and one of its remaining factors: 2x^3+17x^2+23x      Log On

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Question 25318: Hello,
I am having trouble with using Synthetic division to find the remaining factors of a polynomial. Here is the polynomial and one of its remaining factors:
2x^3+17x^2+23x-42; 2x+7. My teacher did not teach my class on how to do this when one of the remaining factors has a whole number (other than 1) in front of the variable.
Please help me.
Sierra
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Look at http://www.purplemath.com/modules/synthdiv.htm for help with understand Synthetic division.

It explains that the number on the left is the root, ie for x-3 we would have +3.

Now, for your example of 2x+7, the root is at -7/2 since 2x+7=0 so 2x=-7 and hence the answer i wrote.

Use this value in the Synthetic division process.

Hope this helps.
Jon