1. Show that $x = -2$ is a root by substituting it into the polynomial
Let P(x)=2x3+5x2+x−2.
Substitute x=−2:
P(−2)=2(−2)3+5(−2)2+(−2)−2
P(−2)=2(−8)+5(4)−2−2
P(−2)=−16+20−4=0
Since P(−2)=0, x=−2 is a solution, which means (x+2) is a factor.
2. Find the quadratic factor by dividing the polynomial by $(x + 2)$
Using inspection or long division:
2x3+5x2+x−2=(x+2)(Ax2+Bx+C)
Comparing coefficients:
x3 term: A=2
Constant term: 2C=−2⟹C=−1
x2 term: 2A+B=5⟹2(2)+B=5⟹B=1
So, the quadratic factor is 2x2+x−1.
3. Factorise the quadratic expression and solve the equation completely
2x2+x−1=(2x−1)(x+1)
Therefore, the equation becomes:
(x+2)(2x−1)(x+1)=0
x=−2, x=21, or x=−1
答案x=−2, x=−1, x=21