Use synthetic division to find ƒ(2). ƒ(x)=2x3-3x2+7x-12
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Identify the divisor for synthetic division. Since we want to find ƒ(2), the divisor is \( x - 2 \).
Write down the coefficients of the polynomial \( ƒ(x) = 2x^3 - 3x^2 + 7x - 12 \). These are \( 2, -3, 7, -12 \).
Set up synthetic division by placing the number 2 (from \( x - 2 \)) to the left and the coefficients in a row to the right.
Perform synthetic division by bringing down the first coefficient, multiplying it by 2, adding the result to the next coefficient, and repeating this process across all coefficients.
The final number obtained after completing synthetic division is the value of \( ƒ(2) \).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Synthetic Division
Synthetic division is a shortcut method for dividing a polynomial by a linear binomial of the form (x - c). It simplifies the long division process by using only the coefficients of the polynomial, making calculations faster and less error-prone.
When dividing a polynomial by (x - c), the remainder of the synthetic division equals the value of the polynomial evaluated at x = c. This allows synthetic division to be used as a tool for quickly finding ƒ(c) without direct substitution.
Multiply Polynomials Using the Distributive Property
Polynomial Coefficients and Setup
To perform synthetic division, list the coefficients of the polynomial in descending order of degree. If any terms are missing, include a zero coefficient. Proper setup ensures accurate computation of the division and evaluation.