Homework: Factoring Polynomials Name: __________________

1. Determine whether each binomial is a factor of x3 + x2 – 16x – 16 (Remember how you test possible
zeros to see if they really are zeros?):
a. x + 4 _______ b. x – 4 ________ c. x – 1________

2. Find all the possible roots of each of the following polynomials (Remember what the Rational Roots
Theorem says!):
a. x3 - 2x2 + 5x – 10 b. x3 + x2 + 4x + 4

c. x3 + 4x2 + x – 6 d. 2x3 - 9x2 – 11x + 8

3. Consider the polynomial P(x) = x3 – 4x2 + 6x - 4. (remember: root = zero)

a. What are all the possible rational roots of P(x)?

b. Choose one of those possible rational roots (pick an easy one to try first) and test to see if it is a
zero of the function.

c. If that one was not a zero, then in this step, try some of the other easy ones until you find one that
is.

d. OK, now that you have a zero, what then MUST be a factor of P(x)? (remember the Factor
Theorem!) Use polynomial Long Division to divide your part d factor into P(x). Your result should
be a quadratic factor.

e. Write P(x) in factored form, but you may have to factor your result from part e in order to FULLY
factor it. End this step with a fully factored P(x)
4. Factor the Polynomials below using the method you used in # 3.
a. x3 - 2x2 - 5x + 6 b. x3 - 13x + 12

c. x3 + 3x2 - x – 3 d. 2x3 + 9x2 + 14x + 5