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Question:
If x + 2a is a factor of a5 -4a2x3 +2x + 2a +3, then find the value of a.
Solution:
Let p(x) =a5 -4a2x3 +2x + 2a +3
Since, x + 2a is a factor of p(x), then put p(-2a) = 0 (-2a)5 – 4a2 (-2a)3 + 2(-2a) + 2a + 3 = 0 => -32a5 + 32a5 -4a + 2a+ 3 = 0
=> -2a + 3=0
2a =3
a = 3/2.
Hence, the value of a is 3/2.