MAHARASHTRA Class 9: Remainder and Factor Theorem Videos | Factorisation: Factor Theorem

Exponents of polynomials should be a whole number.

∴ -x³ +5 is a polynomial.

If p(x) is a polynomial of degree ‘n’, where n ≥ 1 and a ε R, then (x - a) is a factor of p(x) if p(a) = 0.

Zero of (x + 2) is given by

x + 2 = 0

∴ x = −2

p(x) = x³ + x² - 22x - 40

 = (−2)³ + (−2)² - 22 × (−2) − 40

 = −8 + 4 + 44 - 40

= 0