Chapter 10 Polynomials test

Student name:

1 Consider the polynomial P ( x )=3 x 4−2 x 2−6 x +21.State:

a the degree of P ( x ) ,

b the leading coefficient of P ( x ) ,

c the leading term of P ( x ),

d the constant term of P ( x ),

2 The polynomial P(x ) has degree 4. Write down the degree of the polynomial:

a 4 P(x) b ( P ( x ) )4
3 Find the coefficient of x 2 in the polynomial P ( x )=( 2 x2 +5 x−4 ) ( 3 x 2−7 x +11) .

4 a Sketch the graph of the polynomial function y= ( x −1 )2 (2 x +1)(x+ 2), showing all intercepts
with the coordinate axes.

b Hence find the values of x for which ( x−1 )2 ( 2 x +1 ) ( x+ 2 )< 0.

5 Sketch the graph of the polynomial P ( x )=x 7−x 5.

6 Suppose that the polynomial P ( x )=3 x3 −8 x 2+5 x−12 is divided by D ( x )=x−2.

a Find the quotient Q(x ) and the remainder R(x ).

b Write down a division identity using the information above.

7 Without long division find the remainder when P ( x )=7 x 3−4 x2 +3 x−11 is divided by:

a x +1 b x−4
8 a Use the factor theorem to show that x−3 is a factor of P ( x )=x 3+ x 2−8 x −12.

b Hence factor P(x ) fully.

9 Find the value of k given that (x +1) is a factor of x 3 +3 x 2−kx−8 .

10 Find the values of b∧c given that (x +2) is a factor of P ( x )=x 3+ b x2 + cx−24 , and the
remainder is −54 when P(x ) is divided by x +5.

11 Find the values of h and k given that ( x−6 ) is a factor ofQ ( x )=( x+ h )2 +k , and the remainder is
−6 when Q(x ) is divided by x .

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12 The polynomial P(x ) is divided by(x +2)(x−3). Suppose that the quotient is Q(x ) and the
remainder is R(x ).

a Explain why the general form of R(x ) is ax +b , where a and b are constants.

b When P(x ) is divided by (x +2) the remainder is 19, and when P(x ) is divided by (x−3)
the remainder is −6 . Find a andb . (Hint: Use the division identity.)

13 Suppose that the polynomial Q ( x )=2 x2−5 x +3 has zeroes α and β . Without finding the zeroes,
find the value of:

a α +β b αβ c 2
α β+β α
2

1 1
d + e (α −2)(β−2) f 2
α +β
2
α β
14 If α , β and γ are the roots of the equation x 3−7 x 2+ 3 x +13=0 , find:

a α + β+ γ b αβ + αγ+ βγ c αβγ
1 1 1 1 1 1
d + + e + +
α β γ αβ αγ βγ
f ( α +2 ) ( β+2 ) (γ + 2) g 2 2 2 2
α β γ+α γ β+β γ αh
2 2 2
α + β +γ
2 2

1 1 1
i 22
+ 2 2+ 2 2
α β α γ β γ
15 The equation x 3−13 x 2+ cx+ d=0 has roots −6 , 8 andγ ,

a Use the sum of the roots to find γ .

b Use the products of the roots to find d .

c Use the sum of the roots in pairs to find c .

16 The equation 6 x 3 +5 x2−16 x −15=0 has rootsα , β andγ , whereαβ =−2.5.

a Use the product of the roots to find γ .

b Use the sum of the roots to find the other two roots.

17 One root of the equation a x 2 +3 bx+ 2 c=0 is the reciprocal of the cube of the other root. Show

( ( ))
2 2 2
2c 18 b c
that 1+ = 3 .
a a

18 Solve the equation 3 x 3+ 9 x2−3 x−9=0 given that the roots areα −β , α , α + β.

α
19 Find the zeroes of the polynomial P ( x )=2 x 3 −6 x2 −12 x +16 given that they are , α andαβ .
β

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20 The polynomial P ( x )=x 3−7 x 2+ 8 x +16 has a double zero.

a Find P '(x ) and hence find the double zero.

b Find the remaining zero, and hence factor P ( x ) .

21 The polynomial P ( x )=2 x 4 +9 x3 +6 x 2−20 x−24 has a triple zero.

a Find the zeroes of P ' '(x ).

b Determine which of the zeroes of P ' '(x ) is the triple zero of P(x ).

c Find the remaining zero of P(x ).

22 The line y=−4 x +8 is the tangent to the curve y=2 x 2−x 3 at the point A(2, 0). The line
intersects the curve at another point B. Suppose that the x -coordinate of B isα .
a Write down the cubic equation whose roots are the x-coordinate of A and B.
b Explain why the roots of this equation are 2 , 2∧α

c Hence find the point B.

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Answers
1 a deg 4
b 3
4
c 3x
d 21

2 a deg 4
b deg 16
3 -25

4 a

1
b −2< x ←
2

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5

2
6 a Q ( x )=3 x −2 x +1, R ( x )=−10

b 3 x 3−8 x 2+5 x−12=( x−2 ) ( 3 x2 −2 x +1 )−10

7 a −25
b 385

8 a P ( 3 )=0
2
b P ( x )=( x−3 ) ( x+ 2 )
9 k =6
10 b=1 , c=−14
−5 −49
11 h= , k=
2 4
12 a The divisor (x +2)(x−3) has a degree of 2, hence the remainder must be of degree 1.
Therefore the general form of the remainder isax +b .

b a=−5 , b=9

5
13 a
2
3
b
2
15
c
4

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 5
d
3
1
e
2
13
f
4

14 a 7

b 3

c -13

3
d
−13
−7
e
13
f 29

g -39

h 43

43
i
169
15 a γ =11
b d=528
c c=−26
16 a γ =−1
5 −3
b α = , β= , γ=−1
3 2
1
17 Let α be a root, hence the other root is 3
.
α
1 −3 b
Sum of roots: α + =
α
3
a

1 1 2c
Product of roots: α × = 2=
3
α α a

From the sum of roots divide everything by α .

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 1 −3 b
1+ =
α
4
aα

( )
2
2c −3 b
1+ =

√
a a
a
2c

( ( ))
2 2 2 2
2c 9b 18 b c
1+ = = 3 .
As required
a
a( )
2 a
2c
a

18 x=−3 , x=−1 , x=1

19 x=−2 , x=1 , x=4

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 ' 2
20 a P ( x )=3 x −14 x +8 x=4
2
b x=−1, P ( x )=( x+ 1 )( x−4 )
−1
21 a P' ' ( x )=24 x 2 +54 x +12 x=−2 , x=
4
b x=−2
3
c x=
2
3 2
22 a P ( x )=x −2 x −4 x +8
b The line y=−4 x +8 meets the given cubic at 2 points A and B. However the line is a
tangent at A acting as a double zero, hence when we equate the two equations there is
a double root at x=2.

c (−2 , 16)

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