Question

Which of the following best describes the relationship between (x - 2) and thepolynomial 2x3 + x2 - 3?

Answer 1

To see if (x-2) is a factor of 2x3 + x2 - 3, you can substitute x = 2 into the polynomial. If you get a zero, then it is a factor.

`\begin{gathered} 2x^3+x^2-3 \\ x=2 \\ 2*2^3+2^2-3=2*8+4-3=16+1=17 \end{gathered}`

Because the polynomial does not equal zero when it substitute x=2, then (x-2) is not a factor of the polynomial. So, the answer is B.