Thread: polynomials and synthetic division

Hi;
I know how to do synthetic division but I need to clear something up.

If the poly is being divided by say (x-4) should I use +4 in synthetic division
and if that divisor was (x+4) should I use -4 because swapping the signs makes things add up.

and is this always the case ie just swap signs and things work out?

Thanks.

Yes.

If then is a factor of the polynomial. Conversely, if then is a factor of the polynomial.