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algebra senior
Problem
Let be a polynomial such that when is divided by , the remainder is , and when is divided by , the remainder is . What is the remainder when is divided by ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
According to the problem statement, there are polynomials and such that . From the last equality we get . The value is a root of the polynomial on the right hand side, therefore it must be a root of the one on the left hand side as well. Substituting, we get , from which . This means that is a root of the polynomial . In other words, there is a polynomial such that . Substituting this into the original formula for we get Therefore when is divided by , the remainder is .
Final answer
C