Book 4A Chapter 5 More about Polynomials Exam Focus Plus (Full Solutions)

4A Chapter 5 More about Polynomials

Exam-type Questions

Paper I
Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks
1. (a) ∵ 2 x + 1 is a factor of f ( x).
 1
∴ f −  = 0 1M
 2
3 2
 1  1
2 −  + k  −  +1 = 0
 2  2
1 1
− + k +1 = 0
4 4
−1 + k + 4 = 0
k = −3 1A
(2)

(b) f ( x) = 2 x 3 − 3x 2 + 1 1M
= (2 x + 1)( x − 2 x + 1)
2
1M
= (2 x + 1)( x − 1) 2
1A
(3)
2. (a) By division algorithm, we have
f ( x) = ( x − 1)(4 x 2 − 4 x − 7) + 2 1M
= 4x − 4x − 4x + 4x − 7x + 7 + 2
3 2 2

= 4 x3 − 8 x 2 − 3x + 9
∴ f (−1) = 4(−1)3 − 8(−1) 2 − 3(−1) + 9 1M
= −4 − 8 + 3 + 9
=0 1A
(3)
(b) ∵ f (−1) = 0
∴ x + 1 is a factor of f ( x). 1M
By long division,
f ( x) = ( x + 1)(4 x 2 − 12 x + 9) 1M
= ( x + 1)(2 x − 3) 2
1A
(3)
3. (a) 2x + 5
x 2 − 2 x + 1 2 x 3 + x 2 − 10 x + 6
2 x3 − 4 x 2 + 2 x
5 x 2 − 12 x + 6
5 x 2 − 10 x + 5
− 2x + 1
∴ Quotient = 2 x + 5 1A
Remainder = −2 x + 1 1A
(2)

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Book 4A Chapter 5 More about Polynomials Exam Focus Plus (Full Solutions)

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

(b) (i) By division algorithm, we have

f ( x) = ( x 2 − 2 x + 1)(2 x + 5) + (−2 x + 1)
g ( x) = f ( x) − (ax + b)
= ( x 2 − 2 x + 1)(2 x + 5) + (−2 x + 1) − (ax + b)
= ( x 2 − 2 x + 1)(2 x + 5) − (a + 2) x + (1 − b)
∴ The remainder when g ( x) is divided by x 2 − 2 x + 1 is
−(a + 2) x + (1 − b). 1M
∵ g ( x) is divisible by x − 2 x + 1.2

∴ Remainder = 0
−(a + 2) x + (1 − b) = 0
−(a + 2) = 0 and 1 − b = 0
a = −2 and b =1 1A for both correct
(ii) g ( x) = 0
( x − 2 x + 1)(2 x + 5) = 0
2

( x − 1) 2 (2 x + 5) = 0 1M
2x + 5 = 0 or ( x − 1) = 0
2

5
x=− or x =1 (repeated) 1A
2
(4)
4. (a) f ( x) = 4 x 2 ( x − 3) + ax + b
f (4) = 0 1M
4(4) (4 − 3) + 4a + b = 0
2

4a + b = −64 ...... (1)

f (−1) = 2b + 27 1M
4(−1) (−1 − 3) + (−1)a + b = 2b + 27
2

−16 − a + b = 2b + 27
−a − b = 43 ...... (2)
(1) + (2): 4a + b − a − b = −64 + 43
3a = −21
a = −7 1A
By substituting a = −7 into (2), we have for both correct
−(−7) − b = 43
b = −36
(3)
(b) f ( x) = 0
4 x 2 ( x − 3) − 7 x − 36 = 0
4 x3 − 12 x 2 − 7 x − 36 = 0
( x − 4)(4 x 2 + 4 x + 9) = 0 1M
x − 4 = 0 or 4 x + 4 x + 9 = 0 ...... (*)
2

x=4
Consider the discriminant (Δ) of (*), we have
 = 42 − 4(4)(9) 1M
= −128  0
∴ 4 x 2 + 4 x + 9 = 0 has no real roots.

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Book 4A Chapter 5 More about Polynomials Exam Focus Plus (Full Solutions)

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

Note that 4 is not an irrational number.

Thus, the equation f ( x) = 0 has no irrational roots
and the claim is disagreed. 1A
(3)
5. p( x) = ( x 2 + x − 8)(ax 2 − x + 35) − 42 x + 282
(a) (i) p(1) = 0
[(1) + (1) − 8][ a(1) − (1) + 35] − 42(1) + 282 = 0
2 2
1M
−6(a + 34) − 42 + 282 = 0
a + 34 = 40
a=6 1A
(ii) p(−2) = [(−2) + (−2) − 8][6(−2) − (−2) + 35] − 42(−2) + 282
2 2
1M
= −6(61) + 84 + 282
=0 1A
(4)
(b) p ( x) = 0
( x 2 + x − 8)(6 x 2 − x + 35) − 42 x + 282 = 0
6 x 4 + 5 x 3 − 14 x 2 + x + 2 = 0
( x − 1)( x + 2)(6 x 2 − x − 1) = 0 1M
( x − 1)( x + 2)(3x + 1)(2 x − 1) = 0
1 1
∴ x = 1 or x = −2 or x = − or x = 1A
3 2
1 1
Note that − and are not integers.
3 2
Thus, the claim is disagreed. 1A
(3)
6. (a) Let f ( x) = ( x 2 − 4)Q( x) + 2 x + k , where Q(x) is the quotient. 1M
∵ f ( x) is divisible by x − 2.
∴ f (2) = 0 1M
(2 − 4)Q(2) + 2(2) + k = 0
2

k = −4 1A
(3)
(b) Let Q( x) = ax + b, where a and b are constants, such that
f ( x) = ( x 2 − 4)(ax + b) + 2 x − 4 1M
f (0) = −8 1M
(02 − 4)[a(0) + b] + 2(0) − 4 = −8
−4b = −4
b =1 1A
∵ x + 1 is a factor of f ( x).
∴ f (−1) = 0
[(−1) − 4][a(−1) + b] + 2( −1) − 4 = 0
2
1M for both correct
−3(−a + b) = 6
−a + 1 = −2
a=3

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Book 4A Chapter 5 More about Polynomials Exam Focus Plus (Full Solutions)

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

∴ f ( x) = ( x − 4)(3x + 1) + 2 x − 4
2

= 3 x3 + x 2 − 12 x − 4 + 2 x − 4
= 3 x3 + x 2 − 10 x − 8
= ( x + 1)(3 x 2 − 2 x − 8)
= ( x − 2)( x + 1)(3 x + 4)
Consider f ( x) = 0 .
( x − 2)( x + 1)(3x + 4) = 0
4
x = 2 or x = −1 or x = −
3
4
∴ The x-intercepts are − , –1 and 2.
3 1A
(5)
7. (a) 6 x + 13 x − x + 25
3 2

= (2 x + a )(3 x 2 + bx + 2) + c
= 6 x 3 + 2bx 2 + 4 x + 3ax 2 + abx + 2a + c
= 6 x 3 + (3a + 2b) x 2 + ( ab + 4) x + 2a + c 1M
By comparing the coefficients of x2, x and the constant term,
we have 3a + 2b = 13 , ab + 4 = −1 and 2a + c = 25 . 1M
ab + 4 = −1
ab = −5
5
b=− ...... (1)
a
By substituting (1) into 3a + 2b = 13 , we have
 5
3a + 2  −  = 13
 a
10
3a − = 13
a
3a − 13a − 10 = 0
2

(a − 5)(3a + 2) = 0
2
a = 5 or a = − (rejected) 1A
3
By substituting a = 5 into (1), we have
5
b=−
5
= −1 1A
(4)
(b) (i) Let g ( x) = (3x 2 + bx + 2)Q( x) + c , where Q(x) is the quotient.
∵ f ( x) − g ( x)
= (2 x + a )(3x 2 + bx + 2) + c − [(3x 2 + bx + 2)Q ( x) + c] 1M
= (2 x + a )(3x + bx + 2) − (3x + bx + 2)Q ( x )
2 2

= (3x 2 + bx + 2)[2 x + a − Q ( x)]

∴ 3x 2 + bx + 2 is a factor of f ( x) − g ( x). 1
(ii) Put a = 5 and b = −1.
f ( x) − g ( x) = 0
(3x 2 − x + 2)[2 x + 5 − Q( x)] = 0 1M
2 x + 5 − Q( x) = 0 or 3x − x + 2 = 0 ...... (*)
2

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Book 4A Chapter 5 More about Polynomials Exam Focus Plus (Full Solutions)

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

Consider the discriminant (Δ) of (*), we have
 = (−1)2 − 4(3)(2) 1M
= −23  0
∴ 3x 2 − x + 2 = 0 has no real roots.
Thus, not all the roots of the equation f ( x) − g ( x) = 0 are
real numbers and the claim is disagreed. 1A
(5)
8. (a) f ( x) = ax 4 + bx3 + cx 2 + 39 x − 56
f ( x) = (lx 2 − 4 x + 7)(2 x 2 + mx + n)
= 2lx 4 + mlx3 + nlx 2 − 8 x3 − 4mx 2 − 4nx + 14 x 2 + 7mx + 7n
= 2lx 4 + (ml − 8) x3 + (nl − 4m + 14) x 2 + (7 m − 4n) x + 7n 1M
By comparing the constant term,
7n = −56
n = −8 1A
By comparing the coefficient of x,
7 m − 4n = 39
7 m − 4(−8) = 39
7m = 7
m =1 1A
i.e. f ( x) = 2lx + (l − 8) x + (−8l + 10) x + 39 x − 56
4 3 2

f (−1) = −98 1M
2l (−1) + (l − 8)(−1) + (−8l + 10)(−1) + 39(−1) − 56 = −98
4 3 2

2l − l + 8 − 8l + 10 − 39 − 56 = −98
−7l = −21
l =3 1A
(5)
(b) f ( x) = 0
(3x − 4 x + 7)(2 x + x − 8) = 0
2 2

3x 2 − 4 x + 7 = 0 or 2 x 2 + x − 8 = 0
Consider  of 3x 2 − 4 x + 7 = 0 , we have
 = (−4) 2 − 4(3)(7) 1M
= −68  0 1A
for either one
∴ 3x − 4 x + 7 = 0 has no real roots.
2
1M+1A
Consider  of 2 x 2 + x − 8 = 0 , we have for either one
 = (1)2 − 4(2)(−8) for either one
= 65  0
∴ 2 x 2 + x − 8 = 0 has two real roots.
∴ The equation f ( x) = 0 has two real roots. 1A
(5)

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Book 4A Chapter 5 More about Polynomials Exam Focus Plus (Full Solutions)

Paper II
Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks
9. Answer: B
f ( x) = kx3 − 4kx 2 + 15
f (−1) = 0
k (−1)3 − 4k (−1) 2 + 15 = 0
−k − 4k + 15 = 0
−5k = −15
k =3
f ( x) = 3x − 12 x + 15
3 2

f (3) = 3(3)3 − 12(3)2 + 15

= −12

10. Answer: D
 k
f −  = 0
 3
4 3 2
 k  k  k  k
3  −  + k  −  + 9  −  − 6k  −  − 12 = 0
 3  3  3  3
4 4
k k
− + k 2 + 2k 2 − 12 = 0
27 27
3k 2 − 12 = 0
k2 = 4
k = −2 or k = 2

11. Answer: D
f (−5) = 0
2( −5) + 9( −5) + a = 0
2

a = −5
f ( x) = 2 x 2 + 9 x − 5
2
1 1 1
Remainder = f   = 2   + 9   − 5
2 2 2
1 9
= + −5
2 2
=0

12. Answer: D
f (−1) = 0
2 c +1
(−1) − 5(−1) − c = 0
−1 + 5 − c = 0
c=4
f ( x) = x 9 − 5 x − 4
Remainder = f (1) = (1) − 5(1) − 4
9

= −8

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Book 4A Chapter 5 More about Polynomials Exam Focus Plus (Full Solutions)

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

13. Answer: A
Let Q( x) be the quotient and ax + b be the remainder.
f ( x) = ( x 2 − 4)Q( x) + ax + b
f (2) = 5
(2 − 4)Q(2) + 2a + b = 5
2

2a + b = 5 (1)
f (−2) = 1
[(−2)2 − 4]Q(−2) − 2a + b = 1
−2a + b = 1 (2)
(1) + (2): 2b = 6
b=3
By substituting b = 3 into (1), we have
2a + 3 = 5
a =1
∴ The remainder is x + 3.
14. Answer: C
4a 4 b 2 = 2 2  a 4  b2
18a 2 b5 = 2  32  a 2  b5
10a 7 =2  5  a7
L.C.M. = 2  3  5  a  b
2 2 7 5

= 180a 7 b5
15. Answer: A
2 x5 y 3 z = 2  x5  y 3  z
9 x 2 y8 z = 32  x 2  y 8  z
6 y4 z2 = 2  3  y4  z2
H.C.F. = y z
3

16. Answer: C
a 2 + 2a + 1 = (a + 1) 2
a2 −1 = (a + 1)  (a − 1)
a −1
4
= (a + 1)  (a − 1)  (a 2 + 1)
L.C.M. = (a − 1)(a + 1) (a + 1)
2 2

17. Answer: C
Let 2m a n bk cl be the third expression.
a 2b7 c = a 2  b7  c
a 3bc 2 = a3  b  c 2
2m a n b k c l = 2m  a n  b k  c l
∵ The H.C.F. is ab.
∴ The degree of a in the third expression is 1,
i.e. n = 1
The degree of c in the third expression is 0,
i.e. l = 0
∵ The L.C.M. is 2a3b8c2.
∴ The degree of 2 in the third expression is 1,
i.e. m = 1
The degree of b in the third expression is 8,
i.e. k = 8
∴ The third expression is 2ab8 .

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Book 4A Chapter 5 More about Polynomials Exam Focus Plus (Full Solutions)

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

18. Answer: C
1 1
−
x2 + 4x + 4 x2 + x − 2
1 1
= −
( x + 2) 2 ( x + 2)( x − 1)
x − 1 − ( x + 2)
=
( x + 2) 2 ( x − 1)
−3
=
( x − 1)( x + 2) 2

HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 8 © United Prime Educational Publishing (HK) Ltd. 2023
Pearson Education Asia Limited 2023