Polynomial Remainders: Find the Remainder and Value of a | Homework Equations"

[Mentallic]

Homework Statement

a) Find the remainder when P(x)=2x^4-7x^3+ax^2+3x-9 is divided by 2x-1

b) If the remainder, when P(x) is divided by x+2, is 17, find the value of a.

Homework Equations

If a polynomial P(x) is divided by (x-a), the resultant is (x-a)Qx+R(x)

The Attempt at a Solution

For a) I substituted x=\frac{1}{2} into the equation and resulted with P(\frac{1}{2})=\frac{a-33}{4}

For b) I'm unsure what to do with the fact that I now have P(\frac{1}{2})=\frac{a-33}{4} and P(-2)=17.

A nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated

 

[icystrike]

P(-2) you will get another equation ^^
except from P(-2)=17,
however you are on the right track

 

[Mentallic]

Oh wait I sub P(-2) into the equation

I really am that bad at polynomials that I keep missing these simple things!