Question:
Using factor theorem, factorize of the polynomials:
$x^{3}-3 x^{2}-9 x-5$
Solution:
Given, $f(x)=x^{3}-3 x^{2}-9 x-5$
The constant in f(x) is -5
The factors of -5 are ±1, ±5
Let, x + 1 = 0
=> x = -1
$f(-1)=(-1)^{3}-3(-1)^{2}-9(-1)-5$
= -1 – 3 + 9 – 5
= 0
So, (x + 1) is the factor of f(x)
Divide f(x) with (x + 1) to get other factors
By, long division
$x^{2}-4 x-5$
$x+1 x^{3}-3 x^{2}-9 x-5$
$x^{3}+x^{2}$
(-) (-)
$-4 x^{2}-9 x$
$-4 x^{2}-4 x$
(+) (+)
- 5x – 5
- 5x – 5
(+) (+)
0
$=x^{3}-3 x^{2}-9 x-5=(x+1)\left(x^{2}-4 x-5\right)$
Now,
$x^{2}-4 x-5=x^{2}-5 x+x-5$
= x(x – 5) + 1(x – 5)
The factors are (x – 5) and (x + 1)
Hence, $x^{3}-3 x^{2}-9 x-5=(x+1)(x-5)(x+1)$