For each polynomial function, use the remainder theorem to find ƒ(k).ƒ(x) = x^2 - 5x+1; k = 2+i
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Identify the polynomial function \( f(x) = x^2 - 5x + 1 \) and the value \( k = 2 + i \).
According to the Remainder Theorem, the remainder of the division of \( f(x) \) by \( x - k \) is \( f(k) \).
Substitute \( k = 2 + i \) into the polynomial function: \( f(2 + i) = (2 + i)^2 - 5(2 + i) + 1 \).
Expand \( (2 + i)^2 \) using the formula \((a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2\): \( (2 + i)^2 = 4 + 4i + i^2 \).
Remember that \( i^2 = -1 \), so substitute \( i^2 \) with \(-1\) and simplify the expression to find \( f(2 + i) \).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polynomial Functions
A polynomial function is a mathematical expression involving a sum of powers in one or more variables multiplied by coefficients. The general form of a polynomial in one variable is f(x) = a_n*x^n + a_(n-1)*x^(n-1) + ... + a_1*x + a_0, where n is a non-negative integer and a_n are constants. Understanding polynomial functions is essential for analyzing their behavior, roots, and values at specific points.
The Remainder Theorem states that when a polynomial f(x) is divided by a linear divisor of the form (x - k), the remainder of this division is equal to f(k). This theorem simplifies the process of evaluating polynomial functions at specific points, allowing us to find the value of the polynomial without performing long division.
Complex numbers are numbers that have a real part and an imaginary part, expressed in the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit, defined as the square root of -1. In this context, evaluating a polynomial at a complex number like k = 2 + i requires substituting the complex number into the polynomial and performing the necessary arithmetic operations to find the result.