Question:
Use factor theorem to find whether polynomial g(x) is a factor of polynomial f(x), or not:
$f(x)=3 x^{3}+x^{2}-20 x+12, g(x)=3 x-2$
Solution:
Here, $f(x)=3 x^{3}+x^{2}-20 x+12$
g(x) = 3x - 2
To prove that g(x) is the factor of f(x),
we should show ⟹ f(2/3) = 0
here, 3x - 2 = 0
⟹ 3x = 2
⟹ x = 2/3
Substitute the value of x in f(x)
$f(2 / 3)=3(2 / 3)^{3}+(2 / 3)^{2}-20(2 / 3)+12$
= 3(8/27) + 4/9 − 40/3 + 12
= 8/9 + 4/9 − 40/3 + 12
= 12/9 − 40/3 + 12
Taking L.C.M
$=\frac{12-120+108}{9}$
$=\frac{120-120}{9}$
= 0
Since, the result is 0 g(x) is the factor of f(x)