so, n = 3, is a 3rd degree polynomial, roots are -2 and 2i
well 2i is a complex root, or imaginary, and complex root never come all by their lonesome, their sister is always with them, the conjugate, so if 0+2i is there, 0-2i is there too
so, the roots are -2, 2i, -2i
now... [tex]\bf \begin{cases}
x=-2\implies x+2=0\implies &(x+2)=0\\
x=2i\implies x-2i=0\implies &(x-2i)=0\\
x=-2i\implies x+2i=0\implies &(x+2i)=0
\end{cases}
\\\\\\
(x+2)\underline{(x-2i)(x+2i)}=0\\\\
-----------------------------\\\\
\textit{difference of squares}
\\ \quad \\
(a-b)(a+b) = a^2-b^2\qquad \qquad
a^2-b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)\\\\
-----------------------------\\\\
(x+2)[x^2-(2i)^2]=0\implies (x+2)[x^2-(2^2i^2)]=0
\\\\\\
(x+2)[x^2-(4\cdot -1)]=0\implies (x+2)(x^2+4)=0
\\\\\\
x^3+2x^2+4x+8=0[/tex]
now, if we check f(-1), we end up with 5, not 15
hmmm
so, how to turn our 5 to 15? well, 3*5, thus
[tex]\bf 3(x^3+2x^2+4x+8)=f(x)\implies 3(5)=f(-1)\implies 15=f(-1)[/tex]
usually, when we get the roots, or zeros, if any common factor that is a constant is about, they get in a division with 0 and get tossed, and aren't part of the roots, thus, we can simply add one, in this case, the common factor of 3, to make the 5 turn to 15