Polynomials and the factor theorem

What you'll learn

1. 1

   Imagine a polynomial like a climbing frame 🏗️ — it has different levels (terms) connected together.

2. 2

   What does the factor theorem help us find?

3. 3

   Here's a polynomial: f(x) = x³ − 7x + 6. We want to see if x = 2 is a factor.

4. 4

   Check if x = 3 is a factor of f(x) = x² − 5x + 6.

5. 5

   Drag the number into the polynomial to test if x = 1 is a factor of f(x) = x² − 3x + 2.

6. 6

   If f(2) = 0 for a polynomial, what is one factor?

7. 7

   Test x = −1 for f(x) = x³ + 2x² − x − 2. What is f(-1)?