Remainder Theorem

The remainder theorem is used to find the remainder when a polynomial is divided by a linear polynomial. We know that the remainder by dividing one polynomial by other can be found by long division of polynomials. Instead, we can use the remainder theorem to find the remainder.

But the remainder theorem has some limitations. This theorem works only when the divisor is linear. Let us go into depth about the remainder theorem by working on some examples.

According to the remainder theorem, when a polynomial p(x) (whose degree is greater than or equal to 1) is divided by a linear polynomial q(x) whose zero is x = a, the remainder is given by r = p(a). The remainder theorem enables us to calculate the remainder of the division of any polynomial by a linear polynomial, without actually carrying out the steps of the long division.

Note that the degree of the remainder polynomial is always 1 less than the degree of the divisor polynomial. Using this fact, when any polynomial is divided by a linear polynomial (whose degree is 1), the remainder must be a constant (whose degree is 0).

The remainder theorem states that when a polynomial p(x) is divided by a linear polynomial (x - a), then the remainder is equal to p(a). i.e., to find the remainder, just follow the steps below:

• Find the zero of the linear polynomial by setting it to zero. i.e., x - a = 0 ⇒ x = a.
• Then just substitute it in the given polynomial. The result would give the remainder.

Here is the remainder theorem formula depending on the type of the divisor (linear polynomial).

Similarly, we can extend the remainder theorem for different types of linear polynomials as follows:

• The remainder when p(x) is divided by x - a is p(a) (∵ x - a = 0 ⇒ x = a).
• The remainder when p(x) is divided by ax + b is p(-b/a) (∵ ax + b = 0 ⇒ x = -b/a).
• The remainder when p(x) is divided by ax - b is p(b/a) (∵ ax - b = 0 ⇒ x = b/a).
• The remainder when p(x) is divided by bx - a is p(a/b) (∵ bx - a = 0 ⇒ x = a/b).

Proof of Remainder Theorem

Let us assume that q(x) and 'r' are the quotient and the remainder respectively when a polynomial p(x) is divided by a linear polynomial (x - a). By division algorithm, Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder.

Using this, p(x) = (x - a) · q(x) + r.
Substitute x = a
p(a) = (a - a) · q(a) + r
p(a) = (0) · q(a) + r
p(a) = r

i.e. the remainder = p(a).

Hence, proved.

The remainder can be easily found when a polynomial is divided by a linear polynomial. To find it, just substitute the zero of the linear polynomial in the dividend polynomial. To see how it works in the case of polynomials, let us consider the following example with two polynomials:

Dividend, p(x) : 6x⁴ - x³ + 2x² - 7x + 2
Divisor : 2x + 3

Let us find the remainder in two ways:

• using the long division
• using the remainder theorem

Let us observe whether both answers are the same.

By using the long division of polynomials:

On dividing polynomials, the remainder that we have got is, r = 203/4

Now, let’s find the remainder by using the remainder theorem. i.e., first we find the zero of the linear polynomial (2x + 3 = 0 ⇒ x = -3/2) and then substitute it in the given polynomial. Then we get:

We have got the remainder to be 203/4 and the answer matched with the remainder found using the long division. Hence, the remainder theorem works wonders for polynomials.

Here are the main differences between the remainder and factor theorems.

The remainder and factor theorems together are used to solve/factorize polynomials.

Important Notes on Remainder Theorem:

• When a polynomial p(x) is divided by a linear polynomial whose zero is x = k, the remainder is given by p(k).
• The basic formula to check the division is: Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder.
• The remainder theorem does not work when the divisor is not linear.
• Also, it does not help to find the quotient.

☛ Related Articles:

Check out these interesting articles based on terminologies related to the remainder theorem.

• Polynomial Division Calculator
• Remainder Theorem Calculator

State and Prove Remainder Theorem.

The remainder theorem states that when a polynomial p(x) is divided by (x - a), then the remainder = f(a). This can be proved by Euclid’s Division Lemma. By using this, if q(x) is the quotient and 'r' is the remainder, then p(x) = q(x) (x - a) + r. Substitute x = a on both sides, then we get p(a) = r, and hence the remainder theorem is proved.

How Does Remainder Theorem Work for Polynomials?

To understand how the remainder theorem works, let us consider a general case. Let a(x) be the dividend polynomial and b(x) the linear divisor polynomial, and let q(x) be the quotient and r the constant remainder. Thus, we have a(x) = b(x) q(x) + r. Let us denote the zero of the linear polynomial b(x) by k. This means that b(k) = 0. If we plug in x as k in the starred relation above, we have a(k) = b(k) q(k) + r. Note that doing this is allowed since the starred relation holds true for every value of x. In fact, it is a polynomial identity. Since b(k)=0 we are left with a(k)=r. In other words, the remainder is equal to the value of a(x) when x is equal to k. Precisely what we stumbled upon! This is exactly what the remainder theorem is: When a polynomial a(x) is divided by a linear polynomial b(x) whose zero is x equal to k, the remainder is given by r=a(k).

How do You Use the Remainder Theorem?

To find the remainder when p(x) is divided by a linear polynomial (ax - b),

• Set ax - b = 0 and find x. Here, x = b/a.
• Substitute it in p(x). Then remainder = p (b/a).

Are the Factor Theorem and the Remainder Theorem Same?

No, they are different. The factor theorem just ensures whether the given linear polynomial is a factor of the given polynomial, whereas the remainder theorem find the remainder when a polynomial is divided by another polynomial that is linear.

What is the Remainder Theorem Formula?

The general formula for remainder theorem is represented as, when p(x) is divided by (ax + b) then the remainder = p (-b/a).

Who Invented the Remainder Theorem?

Chinese mathematician Sun Zi invented the remainder theorem. The complete remainder theorem was given by Qin Jiushao in 1247.

What if the Remainder Is Zero?

If the remainder is zero, then the remaining quotient and the divisor are the factors of the given expression.

What is the Use of the Factor Theorem?

Factor theorem is used in math to find the factors of a given polynomial equation. Let say hypothetically, if f(x) is a polynomial, putting f(k) = 0, then (x – k) is a factor of f(x).

What is the Use of the Remainder Theorem Formula?

The remainder theorem formula is used to find the remainder when a polynomial p(x) is divided by (ax + b). The remainder theorem is further extended to prove the factor theorem where we can determine whether (ax + b) is a factor of p(x) or not. If the remainder is 0, then (ax + b) is a factor of a polynomial p(x), otherwise, it is not.

What Are the Applications of Remainder Theorem Formula?

The factor theorem is the main application of the remainder theorem formula. To prove the factor theorem, we need the remainder theorem. The factor theorem says if the remainder obtained by dividing p(x) by (x - r) is 0, then (x - r) is a factor of p(x).