Explanation

To determine if a given linear polynomial x−a is a factor of a polynomial f(x), we need to check whether f(a)=0. This is based on the Factor Theorem, which states that n

x−a is a factor of f(x) if and only if  f(a)=0.

Here are the steps to check if  f(x) at x = a is a factor of f(x):

1. Evaluate f(x) at x=a: Substitute a into the polynomial f(x).
2. Calculate f(a).
3. Check the result:

f(a)=0, then x−a is a factor of f(x).

f(a) is not equal to 0, then x−a is not a factor of f(x)