Question:
Using factor theorem, factorize of the polynomials:
$y^{3}-7 y+6$
Solution:
Given, $f(y)=y^{3}-7 y+6$
The constant term in f(y) is 6
The factors are ± 1, ± 2, ± 3, ± 6
Let, y – 1 = 0
=> y = 1
$f(1)=(1)^{3}-7(1)+6$
= 1 – 7 + 6
= 0
So, (y – 1) is the factor of f(y)
Similarly, (y – 2) and (y + 3) are also the factors
Since, f(y) is a polynomial which has degree 3, it cannot have more than 3 linear factors
=> f(y) = k(y – 1)( y – 2)(y + 3)
$\Rightarrow y^{3}-7 y+6=k(y-1)(y-2)(y+3)--1$
Substitute k = 0 in eq 1
=> 0 – 0 + 6 = k(-1)(-2)(3)
=> 6 = 6k
=> k = 1
$y^{3}-7 y+6=(1)(y-1)(y-2)(y+3)$
$y^{3}-7 y+6=(y-1)(y-2)(y+3)$
Hence, $y^{3}-7 y+6=(y-1)(y-2)(y+3)$