# Math Help - Factor theorem.

1. ## Factor theorem.

Factor theorem.

If you have a question like

Find the remainder of
$x^{2}+2x-8$ when the polynomial is divided by the factor x-1
so values of x=1

my question is, if the factor x-1 is in a bracket does it change the sign?
so would x= 1? or -1? if the factor was written as (x-1)?

thanks.

2. Originally Posted by brentwoodbc
Factor theorem.

If you have a question like

Find the remainder of
$x^{2}+2x-8$ when the polynomial is divided by the factor x-1
so values of x=1

my question is, if the factor x-1 is in a bracket does it change the sign?
so would = 1? or -1? if the factor was written as (x-1)?

thanks.
Even though it is written as the factor x-1, it really meant the factor (x-1).

3. thanks because there was a question on a test and it gave three polynomials and three factors and you had to match them so there was a remainder of 0, and I tried both ways +/- and it only worked as if there where no brackets so your answer makes sense. I just wanted to clarify for piece of mind.