Question

If x-2 is a factor of x^5-2ax^3+a^2x-2 then sum of values of a is?

Answer 1

Answer:

x-2 is a factor, so x = 2 is a root.

so, 2^5 - 2a(2)³ + a²(2) - 2 = 0

32 - 16a + 2a² - 2 = 0

2a² - 16a + 30 = 0

a² - 8a + 15 = 0

a² - 5a - 3a + 15 = 0

a(a-5)-3(a-5) = 0

(a-5)(a-3) = 0

either a = 5 or a = 3