In this example we will discuss division with remainder. For polynomials \(f(x)\) and \(g(x)\) with \(\deg(f)\geq \deg(g)\) there always exists polynomials \(q(x)\) and \(r(x)\) such that \[f(x)=q(x)g(x)+r(x)\] and \(\deg(r)<\deg(q)\) or \(r(x)=0\). This should look very much like usual division of numbers, and just like in that case, we call \(f(x)\) the dividend, \(g(x)\) the divisor, \(q(x)\) the quotient, and \(r(x)\) the remainder. If \(r(x)=0\), we say that \(g(x)\) divides \(f(x)\), and we may write \(g(x)\mid f(x)\). Let \(f(x)=x^7-1\) and \(g(x)=x^3+x+1\). Is \(f(x)\) divisible by \(g(x)\)?
In this example we discuss the Factor Theorem. First, let us recall the following concept: if \(P(x)\) is a polynomial, then a number \(z\), is a root of \(P(x)\) if \(P(z)=0\). For example, \(x=1\) is a root of the polynomial \(Q(x)=x-1\). Show:
If \(0\) is a root of \(P(x)\), i.e: \(P(0)=0\), then \(P(x)=xQ(x)\) for some polynomial \(Q(x)\).
Use part 1 to show the Factor Theorem: if \(z\) is a root of \(P(x)\), then \(P(x)=(x-z)K(x)\) for some polynomial \(K(x)\).
In this example we discuss one of Vieta’s formulae. Consider the polynomial \(P(x)=x^2+5x-7\). You can take it as a fact that this polynomial has exactly two distinct roots. What is the sum of its roots? What about their product?
The polynomial \(P(x)=x^3+3x^2-7x+1\) has three distinct roots: \(a,b,\) and \(c\). What is the value of \(a^2+b^2+c^2\)?