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| Question 72593:  I need someone really smart.
 Let f(x) =x3 -8x2 +17x -9. use the factor theorem to find other solutions to f(x) -f(1) = 0, beside x=1.
 I have 6 algebra books that can not explain this factor theorem whereas I can understand it, Can someone out there explain an easy way to understand this.
 Thank you
 Answer by rmromero(383)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! 
Let f(x) =x3 -8x2 +17x -9. use the factor theorem to find other solutions to f(x) -f(1) = 0, beside x=1.
 First let us evaluate f(x) =x3 -8x2 +17x -9, given f(1)
 Using Factor theorem:
 f(1) = x3 -8x2 +17x -9
 = 1^3 - 8(1)^2 + 17(1) - 9
 = 1 - 8 + 17 - 9
 = 18 - 17
 f(1) = 1
 
 Condition: f(x) -f(1) = 0 ,
 1 - 1 = 0   right?
 When f(x) = x3 -8x2 +17x -9 , f(x) = 1,  f(x) -f(1) = 0
 f(x) = x3 -8x2 +17x -9
 1 = x3 -8x2 +17x -9
 0 = x3 -8x2 +17x -10   <<<<<< Find roots of the polynomial
 Any factor of f(x) = x3 -8x2 +17x -10  will make f(x) -f(1) = 0.Let us find
 possible factors/roots of f(x) = x3 -8x2 +17x -10.
 Possible roots = Factor of the constant 10 over coefficient x^3 which is 1.
 Factors of 10 = 1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, -10
 Factors of 1 = 1, -1
 Possible roots are: {1, -1, 2, -2, 5, -5, 10, -10}
 Use Factor theorem to test which of the following are
 the root of the polynomial
 f(1) = 1^3 -8(1)^2 +17(1) -10
 = 1 - 8 + 17 - 10
 = 18 - 18
 = 0    ----------> This is one root of the polynomial
 f(-1) = (-1)^3 -8(-1)^2 +17(-1) -10
 = -1 - 8 - 17 - 10
 = -36  ---------> since this has remainder, this is not a root of the polynomial
 F(2) = 2^3 -8(2)^2 +17(2) -10
 = 8 - 32 + 34 - 10
 = 42 - 42
 = 0  --------> Root of the polynomial
 f(-2) = (-2)^3 -8(-2)^2 +17(-2) -10
 = -8 - 32 - 34 - 10
 = -84  ----------> not a root
 f(5) = 5^3 -8(5)^2 +17(5) -10
 = 125 - 200 + 85 - 10
 = 210 - 210
 = 0  ----------> root of the polynomial
 f(-5) = (-5)^3 -8(-5)^2 +17(-5) -10
 = -125 - 200 - 85 - 10
 = - 420 ----> not a root
 f(10) = 10^3 -8(10)^2 +17(10) -10
 = 1000 - 800 + 170 - 10
 = 1170 - 810
 = 360 ----------> not a root
 f(-10) = (-10)^3 -8(-10)^2 +17(-10) -10
 = -1000 - 800 - 170 - 10
 = -1980 -------------> not a root
 Therefore aside from x = 1, the other solutions are x = 2 and x = 5
 
 Checking:
 f(x) =x3 -8x2 +17x -9, f(x) - f(1) = 0
 when x = 2
 f(2) - f(1) = 0
 (2^3 -8(2)^2 +17(2)-9) - (1^3 -8(1)^2 +17(1) -9)= 0
 8 - 32 + 34 - 9 - (1 - 8 + 17 - 9) = 0
 42 - 41 -1 = 0
 0 = 0
 When x = 5
 f(5) - f(1) = 0
 5^3 -8(5)^2 +17(5)- 9 - (1^3 -8(1)^2 +17(1) -9) = 0
 125 - 200 + 85 - 9 - (1 - 8 + 17 - 9) = 0
 210 - 209 - 1 = 0
 0 = 0
 
 
 If you have questions, just ask ok.
 
 
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