Question:
Using factor theorem, factorize of the polynomials:
$3 x^{3}-x^{2}-3 x+1$
Solution:
Given, $f(x)=3 x^{3}-x^{2}-3 x+1$
The factors of constant term 1 is ± 1
The factors of the coefficient of $x^{2}=3$
The possible rational roots are ±1, 1/3
Let, x – 1 = 0
=> x = 1
$f(1)=3(1)^{3}-(1)^{2}-3(1)+1$
= 3 – 1 – 3 + 1
= 0
So, x – 1 is the factor of f(x)
Now, divide f(x) with (x – 1) to get other factors
By long division method,
$3 x^{2}+2 x-1$
$x-13 x^{3}-x^{2}-3 x+1$
$3 x^{3}-x^{2}$
(-) $(+)$
$2 x^{2}-3 x$
$2 x^{2}-2 x$
$(-) \quad(+)$
- x + 1
- x + 1
(+) (-)
0
$\Rightarrow 3 x^{3}-x^{2}-3 x+1=(x-1)\left(3 x^{2}+2 x-1\right)$
Now,
$3 x^{2}+2 x-1=3 x^{2}+3 x-x-1$
= 3x(x + 1) -1(x + 1)
= (3x – 1)(x + 1)
Hence, $3 x^{3}-x^{2}-3 x+1=(x-1)(3 x-1)(x+1)$