Remainder Theorem

What is Remainder Theorem?

A result stating that when a polynomial P(x) is divided by a linear divisor x - a, the remainder is the single number P(a), obtained by substituting x = a into the polynomial. It converts a division problem into an evaluation problem, so the remainder can be found without carrying out the division. For a divisor written in another form, such as x + 2 or 2x - 1, the value substituted is the value that makes the divisor zero, namely -2 and one half respectively.

This definition is part of the Factors of Polynomials chapter in Cambridge IGCSE Additional Mathematics.

Concepts related to Remainder Theorem

• test value
• divisor
• Factor Theorem