Question

if 1 is a zero of a polynomial
$ax ^{2} - 3(a - 1)x - 1$
find the value of a

Answer 1

if 1 is a zero of p(x) = $ax ^{2} - 3(a - 1)x - 1$

then, p(1) = $a1^{2} - 3(a - 1)1 - 1$

0 = a - 3a + 3 - 1
0 = -2a + 2

hence, a = -2/-2
= 1