Question

When p(x) = x³ – ax² + x is divided by (x – a), the remainder is
(a) 0
(b) a
(c) 2a
(d) 3a

Answer 1

By remainder theorem, when p(x) = x³ – ax² + x is divided by (x – a), then the remainder = p(a).

Putting x = a in p(x), we get

p(a) = a³ – a × a² + a = a³ – a³ + a = a

∴ Remainder = a

Hence, the correct answer is option (b).