DIVISION OF POLYNOMIALS, THE

REMAINDER THEOREM, FACTOR

THEOREM, AND THE RATIONAL ROOT
THEOREM
for Mathematics Grade 10
Quarter 1/Week 6

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 FOREWORD
This self – learning kit serves as a guide for learners to learn
new sets of mathematical concepts. It provides the learners with
various activities and tasks designed to help them enhance their
skills in decision making, problem solving and critical thinking.

This also enables the students to develop positive attitudes

such as self – trust, good time management, perseverance, and
sense of responsibility.

With this learning kit, students will be guided accordingly as

they learn how to find remainders, factors and rational roots of a
certain polynomial and apply prior knowledge on polynomials.

The lessons presented in this learning kit include:

a. Dividing polynomials using synthetic division;
b. Finding the remainder of a division process using the
Remainder Theorem;
c. Identifying if a polynomial or divisor is a factor of the
other polynomial or dividend using the Factor Theorem
and;
d. Finding all the rational roots or zeros of a polynomial
function using the Rational Root Theorem.

This learning kit is divided into three parts:

A. What Happened: where learners will be informed with

the new skills they have to learn and asked to recall
prior knowledge related to the new lesson to learn.

B. What You Need To Know: where learners will be taught

with the new concepts and lessons.

C. What Have I Learned: where learners will be evaluated

on how much they learned from the lesson presented
or discussed.
 OBJECTIVES:
• Divides polynomials using synthetic division.
• Illustrates remainder theorem, factor theorem and
rational root theorem.
• Finds the remainder using the remainder theorem and all
the rational roots using the rational root theorem and
factors using the factor theorem.
• Applies dividing polynomials in solving real-life problems.

LEARNING COMPTENCIES:
a. Performs division of polynomials using long division and
synthetic division.
b. Proves the Remainder Theorem, The Factor
Theorem and the Rational Root Theorem
(M10AL-Ig-1)

I. WHAT HAPPENED

PRE-ACTIVITIES/PRE-TEST:

ACTIVITY 1

For each of the following, divide the polynomial P(x) by the divisor using long
division method.

1. P(x)= x³ + 4x²
x+2+ 5x + 5 2. P(x)= x³ - 4x²x-2
+ 5x + 3

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ACTIVITY 2

Organize your work from the previous activity (Activity 1) by completing the
table below. Write your answer in your notebook.

Dividend Divisor r Quotient Remainder P(r)

P(x) x–r Q(x)

➢ What did you observe about the remainder and P(r)?

ACTIVITY 3

Let us find out first what you already know related to the content of this
module. Answer all items. Choose the letter that best answers each question.
Write your answers in your notebook.

1. In the given mathematical statement below, which one is the remainder?

A. 𝑥 5 − 4𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 − 5 C. 3
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B. 𝑥 + 1 D.
𝑥+1
2. Which of the following statements is NOT true about the Remainder Theorem?
A. The remainder R is a constant and is equal to P(r)
B. The remainder R is solved using the synthetic division
C. The remainder R is a constant and is equal to P(x)
D. The remainder R is solved by subtracting r from the polynomial P(x)

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3. In the Factor Theorem, the polynomial P(x) has x - r as a factor if and only if P(r)
is _______.
A. equal to P(x) C. greater than 0
B. equal to 0 D. equal to 1

4. By the Remainder Theorem, R = 0 if and only if _________________.

A. P(r) C. synthetic division
B. zero D. P(r) = 0

5. Complete the statement: To find the value of P(r), substitute ___________ in the
polynomial expression P(x).
A. x – r C. Q(x)
B. r D. P(x)

6. If P(–2) = 0, which of the following statements is true about P(x)?

A. x + 2 is a factor of P(x) C. P(x) = 0, has two negative roots
B. 2 is root of P(x) = 0 D. P(0) = –2

7. Given P(x) = 3x3 + 2x2 – x. What is the value of P(2)?

A. 20 C. 40
B. 30 D. 50

8. Which of the following polynomials is exactly divisible by 3x + 1?

A. 6x2 + 17x + 5 C. 3x3 + 4x2 – 8x – 3
B. 9x2 + 6x + 1 D. All of the above

9. How many roots are there in the polynomial equation x³ + 6x² + 11x – 6 = 0?
A. 1 C. 3
B. 2 D. 4

10. What are the solutions of the cubic equation x³ - 3x² - 16x – 12 = 0?
A. -2, -1, 6 C. -2, 1, 6
B. -6, 1, 2 D. -1, 2, 6

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 THE REMAINDER THEOREM

The Remainder Theorem

If the polynomial P(x) is divided by (x – r), the remainder R is a

constant and is equal to P(r). R = P(r)
Thus, there are two ways to find the remainder when P(x) is divided
by (x – r), that is, (1) use synthetic division or (2) calculate P(r). Similarly,
there are two ways to find the value of P(r):
(1) Substitute r in the polynomial expression P(x), or
(2) Use synthetic division.

If P(x) is of degree n, then Q(x) is of degree n – 1. The remainder R is

a constant because the degree of x – r is 1, so the degree of the
remainder has to be less than 1, making it 0.

Example
Find the remainder when (5x2 – 2x + 1) is divided by (x + 2).

Solution: Using the Remainder Theorem, P(x) = 5x2 – 2x + 1 → r = -2

Substitute the value of r for x since x = r.

P(-2) = 5(-2)2 – 2(-2) + 1
P(-2) = 25 remainder

Therefore, the reminder when P(x) = 5x2 – 2x + 1 is divided by x + 2

is 25. Hence, the polynomial P(x) = 5x2 – 2x + 1 is not exactly
divisible by x + 2.

Check: Use Synthetic Division

-2 5 -2 1
-10 24
5 -12 25

Thus, the remainder is 25.

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 THE FACTOR THEOREM

THE FACTOR THEOREM

The polynomial P(x) has x – r as a factor if and only if P(r) = 0.

The divisor (x – r) is a factor of the dividend (P(x)) if and only if the
remainder (P(r)) is zero (0). If the remainder is not zero, then the divisor
(x -r) is not a factor of the dividend.

Proof: There are two parts of the proof of the Factor Theorem, namely:
Given a polynomial P(x),
a. If (x – r) is a factor of P(x), then P(r) = 0.
b. If P(r) = 0, then (x – r) is a factor of P(x).
Example 1
Show that (x – 1) is a factor of 3x3 – 8x2 + 3x + 2.
Solution: Using the Factor Theorem
P(x) = 3x3 – 8x2 + 3x + 2 r=1
P(1) = 3(1) – 8(1) + 3(1) + 2
3 2

P(1) = 0 remainder
Since P(1) = 0, then x – 1 is a factor of 3x3 – 8x2 + 3x + 2.

Use the Factor Theorem to show that the given binomial is a

Example 2
factor of the polynomial.
P(x) = 3x³ - 4x² - 3x + 4; x + 1
Solution: Evaluate P(x) or P(r) at r = -1
P(-1) = 3(-1)³ - 4(-1)² - 3(-1) + 4
P(-1) = 0 remainder
Since P(-1) = 0, then x + 1 is a factor of 3x³ - 4x² - 3x + 4.

Example 3 Find the value of k for which the binomial (x + 4) is a factor of

x4 + kx3 – 4x2.
Solution: Use the Factor Theorem
If (x + 4) is a factor of P(x) = x4 + kx3 – 4x2, we know from the
Factor Theorem that P(-4) = 0. Therefore, k = 3.

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 THE RATONAL ROOT
THEOREM

THE RATIONAL ROOT THEOREM

Given a polynomial function defined by

P(x) = anxn + an – 1xn – 1 +. . . + a1x + a0 with integer coefficients and where
n is a non-negative integer, the possible rational zeros of P(x) are of the
form , where p is a factor of a0 (or the constant term) and q is a factor
of an (or the leading coefficient).

This theorem is used to find all the possible rational zeros (that is, solutions
or roots of the form , where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0) of a
polynomial equation.

STEPS and EXAMPLE:

Find all the rational zeros of P(x) = x³ - 9x + 9 + 2x⁴ - 19x².

Step 1: Arrange the polynomial in descending order.

P(x) = 2x⁴ + x³ - 19x² - 9x + 9

Step 2: Write down all the factors of the constant term. These are all the
possible values of p.
factors of the constant term (values of p): +1, +3, +9

Step 3: Write down all the factors of the leading coefficient. These are all
the possible values of q.
factors of the leading coefficient (values of q): +1, +2

Step 4: Write down all the possible values of p/q. Remember that since
Factors can be negative, p/q and -p/q must both be included.
Simplify the values and cross out any duplicates.

possible values of p/q:

simplified values of p/q: +1, +3, +9, +1/2, +3/2, +9/2

Step 5: Use synthetic division to determine the values of p/q for which
P(p/q) = 0. These are all the rational roots of P(x).
Note: Try all the simplified values of p/q as values of r in the synthetic
division. If the remainder is zero (0), then that r (or p/q) is a root
of the polynomial equation.

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Use 1 as the value of r.

Use -3 as the value of r.

Use -1 as the value of r.

Use -1/2 as the value of r.

Use 3 as the value of r.

Use ½ as the value of r.

Note: The degree of the polynomial is 4, so there are 4 rational roots. Since
there are alredy 4 rational roots, there is no need to try the remaining
values of p/q using the synthetic division.

Thus, the rational roots of P(x) are -3, -1, ½ and 3.

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 Let’s have
II. WHAT HAVE I LEARNED FUN WITH
MATH!!!

EVALUATION/POST TEST:

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ACTIVITY 2

A. Match each of the polynomials in Column A with the corresponding

remainder in Column B when the given polynomial is divided by 2x – 3.
Write your answers in your notebook.

Column A Column B
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1. 3x² + 5x + 2 A. −
2

65
2. x⁴ - 3x³ + 2x B.
4

3. -2x² + 3 C. 79
−33
4. 6x³ - 2x² + 4 D.
16

5. 4x² - 12x + 9 E. 0
79
F.
4

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 ACTIVITY 3

Use the Factor Theorem to determine whether or not the first polynomial is a
factor of the second. Write your answers in your notebook.

1. x – 1; x2 + 2x + 5 4. a – 1; a3 – 2a2 + a – 2
2. x – 1; x3 – x – 2 5. y + 3; 2y3 + y2 – 13y + 6
3. x – 4; 2x3 – 9x2 + 9x – 20

ACTIVITY 4

List all the possible rational zeros or roots (possible values of p/q) of each
function. Write your answers in your notebook.

1. P(x) = 3x³ - 10x² + 4x + 5 2. P(x) = 5x³ - 4x² - 31x – 6

ACTIVITY 5

For each function, use the rational root theorem to find all the roots (zeros).
[List all possible rational roots, use synthetic division to test the possible
rational roots and find the actual roots.] Write your answers in your notebook.

1. P(x) = 2x² - 5x – 3

2. P(x) = x³ - 3x – 2

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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

JOELYZA M. ARCILLA, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

MARCELO K. PALISPIS, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

NILITA L. RAGAY, EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
CID Chief

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ELISA L. BAGUIO, EdD

Division Education Program Supervisor – MATHEMATICS

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

RIZALIZA C. VIDAD
Writer/Illustrator/Layout artist

MA. LOUANIE I. SASTRE

Layout Artist
_________________________________

ALPHA QA TEAM
CLAUDETH S. MERCADO
JAMES D. RODRIGUEZ
JEROME Y. SILORIO, EdD
MARICEL T. TROPEZADO

BETA QA TEAM
ELIZABETH A. ALAP-AP
EPIFANIA Q. CUEVAS
NIDA BARBARA S. SUASIN
VRENDIE P. SYGACO
MELBA S. TUMARONG
HANNAHLY I. UMALI

ENHANCEMENT TEAM
CLAUDETH S. MERCADO
JAMES D. RODRIGUEZ
MARIA FATIMA M. EMPERADO
LEONARDO M. GASO, JR.

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 ANSWER KEY
SYNOPSIS
Pre-activities
This self – learning kit discussed about Activity 1
3 5
1. X2 + 2X +1 + 2. X2 - 2X +1 +
the Remainder Theorem, Factor Theorem 𝑋+2 𝑋−2
Activity 2
and the Rational Root Theorem. Dividend Divisor r Quotient Remainder P(r)

1 X3+4x2+5x+5 X+2 -2 X2+2x+1 3 3

The learners are expected to find the
2 X3- 4x2+5x+3 X-2 2 X2-2x+1 5 5
remainder when dividing using the
remainder theorem, identify the factors
Activity 3
using the factor theorem and find all the 1. C 2. D 3. B 4. D 5. B 6. A 7. B 8. D 9. C 10. A

rational zeros or roots using the rational root Evaluation

Activity 1
theorem. They are also expected to answer
1. E 2. A 3. D 4. C 5. B
the various tasks and activities provided in Activity 2
1. B 2. D 3. A 4. F 5. E
this self-learning kit. Activity 3
“Continue learning as you work along 1. not a factor 2. not a factor 3. factor
4. not a factor 5. factor
with this and other Self- learning kits.” Activity 4
5 1
1. ± , ±5 , ± , ±1
3 3

6 1 2 3
2. ± , ± , ± , ± , ±6 , ±1 , ±2 , ±3
5 5 5 5

Activity 5
1. -1/2 , 3 2. -1, -1, 2

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

RIZALIZA C. VIDAD. Graduated with the degree of

Bachelor in Secondary Education major in Mathematics
at St. Paul University Dumaguete last March 15, 2008 .
Currently teaching at Sumaliring High School, Siaton 1
District and also the District Secondary Math
Coordinator of Siaton 1.

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 REFERENCES

Books

Callanta Melvin M., et.al. K to 12 Mathematics 10 Learner’s

Manual. Department of Education, Philippines: REX
Book Store, 2015.

Callanta Melvin M., et.al. K to 12 Mathematics 10 Teacher’s

Guide. Department of Education, Philippines: REX Book
Store, 2015.

Capul, Erist A., et.al.Next Generation Math 10 K to 12 Edition.

Makati City, Philippines: DIWA Learning System Inc.,
2015

Orines, Fernando B., et.al. Advanced Algebra,

Trigonometry, and Statistics. Quezon City, Philippines:
Vibal Publishing House, Inc., 2003

Oronce, O., and Mendoza, M. E-math IV.Quezon City,

Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc., 2010.

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