To find the other factor of the polynomial 3x² + 10x + 8, we start from the information given that one of its factors is 3x + 4.
We can use polynomial long division or synthetic division to divide 3x² + 10x + 8 by 3x + 4.
Here’s how polynomial long division works in this case:
- Divide the leading term of the dividend (3x²) by the leading term of the divisor (3x), which gives us x.
- Multiply the entire divisor (3x + 4) by this result (x): 3x * x + 4 * x = 3x² + 4x.
- Subtract this result from the original polynomial:
- (3x² + 10x + 8) – (3x² + 4x) = 6x + 8
- Next, divide the leading term of the result (6x) by the leading term of the divisor (3x), giving us (2).
- Multiply the divisor by (2): (3x + 4) * 2 = 6x + 8.
- Subtract this again from the result: (6x + 8) – (6x + 8) = 0.
This indicates that we had no remainder, and thus, the division is complete.
The result from our division is x + 2.
Thus, the other factor of the polynomial 3x² + 10x + 8 is:
x + 2.
In summary, we have factored the polynomial as:
(3x + 4)(x + 2).