P(x) = (x - c)Q(x)
The equation P(x) = (x - c)Q(x) represents a polynomial P(x) that can be factored into two parts: (x - c) and Q(x) . Here, c is a constant, and Q(x) is another polynomial. This form indicates that c is a root of the polynomial P(x) , meaning that when x = c , the value of P(c) equals zero.
Factoring polynomials like this is useful in algebra and calculus, as it helps identify the roots or solutions of the polynomial equation. The polynomial Q(x) contains the remaining factors of P(x) after removing the factor (x - c) . This method is often used in solving equations and analyzing polynomial behavior in mathematics.