CE Maths

Past Paper Questions on Chapter 3 (Polynomials)

Paper I Questions
Factorize 1995 – Q2 (4 marks)
1997 – Q1 (4 marks) a) Simplify (a + b)2 – (a – b)2
Factorize b) Find the remainder when x3 + 1 is divided by x
a) x2 – 9 + 2.
b) ac + bc – ad – bd
1998 – Q9 (5 marks)
2003 – Q3 (3 marks) Let f(x) = x3 + 2x2 – 5x – 6
Factorize a) Show that x – 2 is a factor of f(x).
a) x2 – (y – z)2 b) Factorize f(x).
b) ab – ad – bc + cd.
2000 – Q6 (3 marks)
2004 – Q6 (4 marks) Let f(x) = 2x3 + 6x2 – 2x – 7. Find the remainder
Factorize when f(x) is divided by x + 3.
a) a2 – ab + 2a – 2b
b) 169y2 – 25 2001 – Q2 (3 marks)
Let f(x) = x3 – x2 + x – 1. Find the remainder when
2005 – Q3 (3 marks) f(x) is divided by x – 2.
Factorize
a) 4x2 – 4xy + y2 2002 – Q4 (3 marks)
b) 4x2 – 4xy + y2 – 2x + y Let f(x) = x3 – 2x2 – 9x + 18
a) Find f(2).
Remainder Thm/ Factor Thm b) Factorize f(x)
1994 – Q3 (3 marks)
When (x + 3)(x – 2) + 2 is divided by x – k, the
remainder is k2. Find the value(s) of k.

Multiple Choice Questions

Factorize
1993 – MC39
In factorizing the expression a4 + a2b2 + b4, we
find that
A. (a2 – b2) is a factor
B. (a2 + b2) is a factor
C. (a2 – ab – b2) is a factor
D. (a2 – ab + b2) is a factor
E. it cannot be factorized

1994 – MC35
Factorize a2 – 2ab + b2 – a + b
A. (a – b)(a – b – 1) B. (a – b)(a – b + 1)
C. (a – b)(a + b – 1) D. (a + b)(a – b + 1)
E. (a – b – 1)2

1996 – MC06
Which of the following expressions has/have b – c
as a factor?
I. ab – ac II. a(b – c) – b + c
III. a(b – c) – b – c
A. I only B. I and II only
C. I and III only D. II and III only
E. I, II and III

Q-1 926814708.doc
 CE Maths

1997 – MC04 2000 – MC02

9 – a2 – b2 + 2ab = Factorize x2 – x – xy + y
A. (3 – a – b)(3 – a + b) A. (x – y)(x – 1) B. (x – y)(x + 1)
B. (3 – a – b)(3 + a – b) C. (x + y)(x – 1) D. (1 – x)(x + y)
C. (3 – a – b)(3 + a + b) E. (1 + x)(y – x)
D. (3 – a + b)(3 + a – b)
E. (3 – a + b)(3 + a + b) 2001 – MC22
Which of the following is a factor of
1998 – MC08 2(a – b)2 – a2 + b2?
Factorize x2 – y2 + 2x + 1 A. a – 3b B. a – 2b C. a + b
A. (x + y + 1)(x + y – 1) D. a + 3b E. 3a – b
B. (x + y + 1)(x – y + 1)
C. (x + y – 1)(x – y + 1) 2003 – MC39
D. (x + y – 1)(x – y – 1)
x3 – =
E. (x – y + 1)(x – y – 1)
A. (x + )(x2 – 6 + )
1999 – MC02
x2 – y2 – x + y =
B. (x + )(x2 – 3 + )
A. (x – y)(x – y – 1) B. (x – y)(x + y – 1)
C. (x – y)(x + y + 1) D. (x + y)(x – y – 1)
C. (x – )(x2 + 6 + )
E. (x + y)(x – y + 1)
D. (x – )(x2 + 3 + )

Operation of Polynomials
1993 – MC03
Simplify (x2 – x + 1)( x2 + x + 1).
A. x4 + 1. B. x4 – x2 + 1
C. x4 + x2 + 1 D. x4 – 3x2 – 2 x – 1
4
E. x + 3 2
x –2 x + x+1

2001 – MC02
(2x2 – 3x + 1)(2 – 3x) =
A. 6x3 – 5x2 – 3x + 2
B. 6x3 – 13x2 – 9x – 2
C. –6x3 + 13x2 – 9x + 2
D. –6x3 – 5x2 – 3x + 2
E. –6x3 – 5x2 – 9x + 2

2005 – MC04
(2x – 3)(x2 + 3x – 2) =
A. 2x3 + 3x2 + 5x – 6
B. 2x3 + 3x2 + 5x + 6
C. 2x3 + 3x2 – 13x – 6
D. 2x3 + 3x2 – 13x + 6

Identities
1993 – MC05
If 3x2 + ax – 5  (bx – 1)(2 – x) – 3, then
A. a = –5, b = –3 B. a = –5, b = 3
C. a = –3, b = –5 D. a = 5, b = –3
E. a = 3, b = 5

Q-2 926814708.doc
 CE Maths

1994 – MC07 2002 – MC06

Which of the following is/are an identity / If (x + 1)2 + P(x + 1)  x2 + Q, then
identities? A. P = –2, Q = –1 B. P = –2, Q = 1
I. (x + 2) (x – 2) = x2 – 4 C. P = 2, Q = –1 D. P = 2, Q = 1
II. (x + 2) (x – 2) = 0
III. (x + 2)3 = x3 + 8 2003 – MC06
A. I only B. II only C. III only If (2x + 3)(x – a)  2x2 + b(x + 1), then
D. I and III onlyE. II and III only A. a = –3 and b = 9 B. a = – , b =

1995 – MC10 C. a = ,b= D. a = 3, b = –9

If 3x2 + 6x + 1  3(x + b)2 + c, then c =
A. –8 B. –2 C. 0
2004 – MC10
D. E. 1
If a(2x – x2) + b(2x2 –x)  – 5x2 + 4x, then a =
A. –1 B. 1 C. –2 D. 2
1997 – MC07
Which of the following is/are identity/identities? 2005 – MC10
I. x2 = 4 If x2 + 2ax + 8  (x + a)2 + b, then b =
II. (2x + 3)2 = 4x2 + 12x + 9 A. 8 B. a2 + 8
III. (x + 1)2 = x2 + 1 C. a2 – 8 D. 8 – a2
A. I only B. II only
C. III only D. I and II only Remainder Thm/ Factor Thm
E. II and III only 1993 – MC09
The expression x2 – 2x + k is divisible by (x + 1).
1998 – MC05 Find the remainder when it is divided by (x + 3)
If (x + 3)2 – (x + 1)(x – 3)  P (x + 1) + Q, find P A. 1 B. 4 C. 12
and Q D. 16 E. 18
A. P = 2, Q = 4 B. P = 2, Q = 10
C. P = 4, Q = 2 D. P = 4, Q = 8 1994 – MC37
E. P = 8, Q = 4 P(x) is a polynomial. When P(x) is divided by (5x
– 2), the remainder is R. If P(x) is divided by (2 –
1999 – MC06 5x), the remainder is
If (3x – 1)(x – a)  3x2 + bx – 2, then A. R B.–R C.
A. a = 2, b = –1 B. a = 2, b = –7
C. a = –2, b = 5 D. a = –2, b = –5 D. E.
E. a = –2, b = –7

2000 – MC10 1995 – MC03

If 3x2 + ax + 7  3(x – 2)2 + b, then If f(x) = x99 + 99x + k is divisible by x + 1, then k =
A. a = –12, b = –5 B. a = –12, b = 7 A. –100 B. –98 C. 98
C. a = –4, b = 3 D. a = 0, b =–5 D. 100 E. 198
E. a = 0, b = 19
1996 – MC05
2001 – MC11 Find the remainder when x3 – x2 + 1 is divided by
Which of the following is an identity / are 2x + 1
identities? A. –11 B. C.
I. x2 + 2x + 1 = 0
II. x2 + 2x + 1 = (x + 1)2 D. E. 5
III. (x + 1)2 > 0
A. I only B. II only
C. III only D. I and III only
E. II and III only

Q-3 926814708.doc
 CE Maths

1997 – MC06 2003 – MC02

If 2x2 + x + m is divisible by x – 2, then it is also Let f(x) = x3 + 2x2 + k, where k is a constant. If f(–
divisible by 1) = 0, find the remainder when f(x) is divided by x
A. x + 3 B. 2x – 3 C. 2x + 3 – 1.
D. 2x – 5 E. 2x + 5 A. –1 B. 0 C. 2 D. 6

1998 – MC06 2004 – MC40

Let f(x) = 2x3 – x2 – 7x + 6. It is known that f(–2) = If f(x) = x3 – 7x + 6 is divisible by x2 – 3x + k, then
0 and f(1) = 0. f(x) can be factorized as k=
A. (x + 1)(x + 2)(2x – 3) A. –2 B. 2 C. –3 D. 3
B. (x + 1)(x – 2)(2x + 3)
C. (x – 1)(x + 2)(2x + 3) 2005 – MC40
D. (x – 1)(x + 2)(2x – 3) Let k be a positive integer. When x2k + 1 + kx + k is
E. (x – 1)(x – 2)(2x + 3) divided by x + 1 , the remainders is
A. –1 B. 1 C. 2k – 1 D. 2k + 1
1999 – MC38
It is given that F(x) = x3 – 4x2 + ax + b. F(x) is
divisible by x – 1. When it is divided by x + 1, the
remainder is 12. Find a and b.
A. a = 5, b = 10 B. a = 1, b = 2
C. a = –3, b = 6 D. a = –4, b = 7
E. a = –7, b = 10

2000 – MC09
Let f(x) = x3 – 2x2 – 5x + 6. It is known that f(1) =
0. f(x) can be factorized as
A. (x – 1)2(x + 6)
B. (x – 1)(x + 1)(x + 6)
C. (x – 1)(x – 2)(x + 3)
D. (x – 1)(x + 2)(x – 3)
E. (x + 1)(x – 2)(x – 3)

2001 – MC03
Let f(x) = (2x – 1)(x + 1) + 2x + 1. Find the
remainder when f(x) is divided by 2x + 1.
A. –1 B. C. 0

D. 1 E. 2

2001 – MC48
Let f(x) = x3 + 2x2 + ax + b. If f(x) is divisible by x
+ 1 and x – 2, f(x) can be factorized as
A. (x – 1)(x + 1)(x – 2)
B. (x + 1)2(x – 2)
C. (x – 3)(x + 1)( x – 2)
D. (x + 3)(x + 1)(x – 2)
E. x (x + 1)(x – 2)

2002 – MC38
The remainder when x2 + ax + b is divided by
x + 2 is –4. The remainder when ax2 + bx + 1 is
divided by x – 2 is 9. The value of a is
A. –3 B. –1 C. 1 D. 3

Q-4 926814708.doc
 CE Maths

Answers to Past Paper Questions on Chapter 3 (Polynomials)

Paper I Questions Multiple Choice Questions
Factorize Factorize
1997 – Q1 (4 marks) 1993 – MC39 D
a) (x)2 – (3)2 = (x + 3)(x – 3) a4 + a2b2 + b4 = (a4 + 2a2b2 + b4) – a2b2
b) c (a + b) – d (a + b) = (a + b)(c – d) = (a2 + b2)2 – (ab)2 = (a2 + b2 + ab)(a2 + b2 – ab)
OR let a = 2, b = 3, a4 + a2b2 + b4 = 24 + 22(3)2 + 34
2003 – Q3 (3 marks) = 16 + 4(9) + 81 = 133 = 7  19
a) x2 – (y – z)2 = [x + (y – z)][x – (y – z)] Option Factor ?
= (x + y – z)(x – y + z) A(a – b )
2 2
4 – 9 = –5 
b) a(b – d) – c(b – d) = (a – c)(b – d) B(a2 + b2) 4 + 9 = 13 
C(a2 – ab – b2) 4 – 6 – 9 = –11 
2004 – Q6 (4 marks) D(a2 – ab + b2) 4 – 6 + 9 = 7 
a) a(a – b) + 2(a – b) = (a + 2)(a – b)
b) (13y)2 – (5)2 = (13y + 5)(13y – 3) 1994 – MC35 A
(a2 – 2ab + b2) – (a – b) = (a – b)2 – (a – b)
2005 – Q3 (3 marks) = (a – b)(a – b) – (a – b) = (a – b)(a – b – 1)
a) 4x2 – 4xy + y2 = (2x – y)2 [check by expanding it]
b) 4x2 – 4xy + y2 – 2x + y
OR let a = 2, b = 3, a2 – 2ab + b2 – a + b
= (4x2 – 4xy + y2) + (–2x + y) = 22 – 2(2)(3) + 32 – 2 + 3 = 2
= (2x – y)2 – (2x – y)
Option Value
= (2x – y)(2x – y – 1)
A. (a – b) (a – b – 1) = –1(–2) = 2 
B. (a – b) (a – b + 1) = –1(0) = 0 
Remainder Thm/ Factor Thm
1994 – Q3 (3 marks) C. (a – b) (a + b – 1) = –1(4) = –4 
Put x = k [x – k = 0  x = k] D. (a + b) (a – b + 1) = 5(0) = –0 
R = (k + 3)(k – 2) + 2 = k2 E. (a – b – 1)2 = (–2)2 = 4 
k2 + k – 6 + 2 – k2 = 0
k–4=0  k= 4 1996 – MC06 B
I. ab – ac = a(b – c) T [not D]
1995 – Q2 (4 marks) II. a(b – c) – (b – c) = (a – 1)(b – c) T [B or E]
a) (a + b)2 – (a – b)2 (A2 – B2) III. a(b – c) – (b + c) F
= [(a + b) + (a – b)] [(a + b) – (a – b)] OR put b = c [b – c = 0  b = c]
= (2a)(2b) = 4ab If (b – c) is factor, LS = 0
b) (x3 + 1)  (x + 2) [x + 2 = 0  x = –2] I. ac – ac = 0 T, a(c – c) – c + c = 0 T
Put x = –2, R = (–2)3 + 1 = –7 III. a(c – c) – c – c = –2c F

1998 – Q9 (5 marks) 1997 – MC04 D

a) Put x = 2 [x – 2 = 0  x = 2] 9 – a2 – b2 + 2ab = 9 – (a2 + b2 – 2ab)
R = (2)3 + 2(2)2 – 5(2) – 6 = 0 = 32 –(a – b)2 = [3 + (a – b)][3 – (a – b)]
 (x – 2) is a factor = (3 + a – b)(3 – a + b)
b) OR let a = 2, b = 3, 9 – a2 – b2 + 2ab
= 9 – 22 – 32 – 2(2)(3) = 8

Option Value
A. (3 – a – b) (3 – a + b) = (–2)(–2) = 4 
By division, f(x) = (x – 2)(x2 + 4x + 3)
B. (3 – a – b) (3 + a – b) = (–2)(2) = –4 
= (x – 2)(x + 1)(x + 3) [by cal, roots –1, –3]
C. (3 – a – b) (3 + a + b) = (–2)(8) = –16 
2000 – Q6 (3 marks) D. (3 – a + b) (3 + a – b) = (4)(2) = 8 
Put x = –3 [x + 3 = 0  x = –3] E. (3 – a + b) (3 + a + b) = (4)(8) = 32 
R = 2(–3)3 + 6(–3)2 – 2(–3) – 7 = –1
1998 – MC08 B
2001 – Q2 (3 marks) (x2 + 2x + 1) – y2 = (x + 1)2 – (y)2
Put x = 2 [x – 2 = 0  x = 2] = (x + 1 + y)(x + 1 – y)
R = (2)3 – (2)2 + (2) – 1 = 5 OR let x = 2, y = 3, x2 – y2 + 2x + 1
= 22 – 32 + 2(2) + 1 = 0 (don’t use)
2002 – Q4 (3 marks) let x = 2, y = 4, x2 – y2 + 2x + 1
a) f (2) = (2)3 – 2(2)2 – 9(2) + 18 = 0 = 22 – 42 + 2(2) + 1 = –7
b) f (2) = 0,  (x – 2) is a factor

By division, f(x) = (x – 2)(x2 – 9)

= (x – 2)(x – 3)(x + 3) [by cal, roots 3, –3]

A-1 926814708.doc
 CE Maths

Operation of Polynomials
A. (x + y + 1) (x + y – 1) = (7)(5) = 35  1993 – MC03 B
B. (x + y + 1) (x – y + 1) = (7)(–1) = –7  (1 – 1) (1 1)
C. (x + y – 1) (x – y + 1) = (5)(–1) = –5  1 – 1
D. (x + y – 1) (x – y – 1) = (5)(–3) = –15  –3
E. (x – y + 1) (x – y – 1) = (–1)(–3) = 3 
1 – 1
1 –1 1
1999 – MC02 B
1x4 –1x2 1
(x2 – y2) – (x – y) = (x + y)(x – y) – (x – y)
= (x – y)(x + y – 1) OR let x = 2, (x – x + 1)(x + x + 1)
2 2

OR let x = 2, y = 3, x2 – y2 – x + y = = (5 –2 )(5 +2 ) = 25 – 4(3) = 13

= 22 – 32 – 2 + 3 = –4 A. x4 + 1. = 16 – 1 = 15 
A. (x – y)(x – y – 1) =(–1)(–2) = 2  B. x4 – x2 + 1 = 16 – 4 + 1 = 13 
B. (x – y)(x + y – 1) = (–1)(4) = –4  C. x4 + x2 + 1 = 16 + 4 + 1 = 21 
C. (x – y)(x + y + 1) = (–1)(6) = –6  D. x – 3x – 2 x – 1
4 2
Impossible, no 
D. (x + y)(x – y – 1) = (5)(–2) = –10  E. x4 + x3 – 2 x2 + x + 1 Impossible, no 
E. (x + y)(x – y + 1) = (5)(0) = 0 
2001 – MC02 C
2000 – MC02 A (2x2 – 3x + 1)(– 3x + 2)
x(x – 1) – (xy – y) = x(x – 1) –y (x – 1) (2 –3 1) (–3 2)
= (x – 1)(x – y) –6 9 –3
OR let x = 2, y = 3, x2 – x – xy + y = 4 –6 2
= 22 – 2 – 2(3) + 3 = –1 –6 13 –9 2
A. (x – y)(x – 1) = (–1)(1) = –1  –6x3 + 13x2 –9x +2
B. (x – y)(x + 1) = (–1)(3) = –3  OR let x = 2, (2x2 – 3x + 1)(–3x + 2)
C. (x + y)(x – 1) = (5)(1) = 5  = (4 – 6 + 1)(–6 +2) = –1(–4) = 4
D. (1 – x)(x + y) = (–1)(5) = –5  A. 6x3 – 5x2 – 3x + 2 = 6(8)–5(4)–3(2)+ 2 = 24 
E. (1 + x)(y – x) = (3)(1) = 3  B. 6x3 – 13x2 – 9x – 2 = 6(8)–13(4)–9(2) – 2 = –24 
C. –6x3 + 13x2 – 9x + 2 = –6(8)+13(4)–9(2) + 2 = 4 
2001 – MC22 A D. –6x3 – 5x2 – 3x + 2 = –6(8)–5(4)–3(2) +2 = –72
2(a – b)2 – a2 + b2 = 2(a – b)2 – (a2 – b2) E. –6x3 – 5x2 – 9x + 2 = –6(8)–5(4)–9(2) + 2 = –84
= 2(a – b)(a – b) – (a + b)(a – b)
= (a – b)[2(a – b) – (a + b)] = (a – b)[2a – 2b – a – b] 2005 – MC04 D
= (a – b)[a – 3b] (2x – 3)(x2 + 3x – 2) =
Option Try a = 2(a – b)2 – a2 + b2 (2 –3) (1 3 –2)
A. a – 3b 3b 2(3b – b)2 – (3b)2 + b2 2 –3
= 2(4b2) – 9b2 + b2 = 0  Ans 6 –9
OR let a = 2, b = 3, 2(a – b)2 – a2 + b2= –4 6
= 2(–1)2 – 22 + 32 = 7 2 3 –13 6
A. a – 3b = –7  2x3 + 3x2–13x + 6
B. a – 2b = –4  OR let x = 2, (2x – 3)(x2 + 3x – 2) =
C. a + b =5  = (4 – 3)(4 + 6 – 2) = 1(8) = 8
D. a + 3b = 11  A. 2x3 + 3x2 + 5x – 6 = 2(8) + 3(4) + 5(2) – 6 = 32 
E. 3a – b =3  B. 2x3 + 3x2 + 5x + 6 = 2(8) + 3(4) + 5(2) + 6 = 38 
C. 2x3 + 3x2 – 13x – 6 = 2(8) + 3(4) – 13(2) – 6 = –4 
2003 – MC39 D
D. 2x3 + 3x2 – 13x + 6 = 2(8) + 3(4) – 13(2) + 6 = 8 
(x)3 – ( )3 = (x – )[(x)2 + (x)( )+( )2]
Identities
1993 – MC05 A
= (x – )(x2 + 3 + ) 3x2 + ax – 5  2bx – 2 – bx2 + x – 3
3x2 + ax – 5  –bx2 + (2b + 1)x – 5
OR let x = 2, x3 – =8– = 4.625 x2 : 3 = –b  b = –3 [A or D]
x : a = 2b + 1 = 2(–3) + 1 = –5
= 3.5(0.25) = 0.875 
A. (x + )(x2 – 6 + ) 1994 – MC07 A
I. LS = RS always true T [A or D]
= 3.5(3.25) = 11.375  II. Eqn, only true for x = 2 or – 2 F
B. (x + )(x2 – 3 + )
III. (x + 2)3 = (x + 2)(x + 2)2 = (x + 2)(x2 + 4x + 4)
= 0.5(12.25) =6.125  = x3 + 6x2 + 12x + 8 F
C. (x – )(x2 + 6 + )
1995 – MC10 B
= 0.5(9.25) = 4.625  3x2 + 6x + 1  3(x2 + 2bx + b2) + c
D. (x – )(x + 3 +
2
)
3x2 + 6x + 1  3x2 + 6bx + (3b2 + c)
x : 6 = 6b  b = 1
constant : 1 = (3b2 + c)  1 = 3(1) + c  c = –2

A-2 926814708.doc
 CE Maths

1997 – MC07 B 2005 – MC10 D

I. Eqn, only true for x = 2 F [Not A, D] RS = x2 + 2ax + a2 + b
II. LS = (2x + 3)(2x + 3) = 4x2 + 6x + 6x + 9 T Compare constant term, 8 = a2 + b
[B or E]  b = 8 – a2
III (x + 1)(x + 1) = x2 + 2x +1 F
Remainder Thm/ Factor Thm
1998 – MC05 E 1993 – MC09 C
(x + 3)2 – (x + 1)(x – 3)  P(x + 1) + Q Put x = –1 [x + 1 = 0  x = –1]
Put x = –1, (2)2 – (0)(–4) = P(0) + Q  Q = 4 R = (–1)2 – 2(–1) + k = 0 (divisible)
*Put x = 0, (3)2 – (1)(–3) = P(1) + Q 1 + 2 + k = 0  k = –3
9+3=P+4  P=8 Put x = –3 [x + 3 = 0  x = –3]
* Can put any other no. R = (–3)2 – 2(–3) – 3 = 9 + 6 – 3 = 12
OR x2 + 6x + 9 – (x2 + 2x – 3) = Px + P + Q
8x + 12 = Px + (P + Q) 1994 – MC37 A
x: 8=P
P(x)  (5x – 2), put x = [5x – 2 = 0], R = f( )
constant : 12 = 8 + Q  Q = 4

1999 – MC06 C P(x)  (2 – 5x), put x = [5x – 2 = 0], R = f( )

(3x – 1)(x – a)  3x2 + bx – 2
(same remainder)
Put x = , (0)( – a) = 3( ) + b( ) – 2
2

1995 – MC03 D
2– = b  b=5 Put x = –1 [x + 1 = 0  x = –1]
R = (–1)99 + 99(–1) + k = 0 (divisible)
Put x = 0, (–1)(–a) = 3(0) + 0b – 2  a = –2 –1 – 99 + k = 0  k = 100
OR 3x2 – x – 3ax + a = 3x2 + bx – 2 Put x = –3 [x + 3 = 0  x = –3]
3x2 +(–1 – 3a)x + a = 3x2 + bx – 2 R = (–3)2 – 2(–3) – 3 = 9 + 6 – 3 = 12
constant : a = –2
x : –1 – 3(–2) = b  b = 5 1996 – MC05 B

Put x = – [2x + 1 = 0  x = – ]
2000 – MC10 A
3x2 + ax + 7  3(x2 – 4x + 4) + b
3x2 + ax + 7  3x2 – 12x + (12 + b) R = (– )3 – (– )2 + 1 = – – +1=
x : a = –12
constant : 7 = (12 + b)  b = –5
1997 – MC06 E
Put x = 2 [x – 2 = 0  x = 2]
2001 – MC11 B
R = 2(2)2 + 2 + m = 0 (divisible)
I. Eqn, only true for x = –1 F [Not A, D]
2(4) + 2 + m = 0  m = –10
II. RS = (x + 1)(x + 1) = LS T [B or E]
III. Identity must have equal sign, not inequality F 2x2 + x + m = 2x2 + x – 10 (roots 2, – )

2002 – MC06 A
Another factor (x + ) or 2x + 5
(x + 1)2 + P(x + 1)  x2 + Q
x2 + 2x + 1 + Px + P  x2 + Q
x2 + (2 + P)x + (1 + P)  x2 + Q 1998 – MC06 D
x : 2 + P = 0  P = –2 factors (x + 2), (x – 1)
constant : 1 + P = Q 2x3 – x2 – 7x + 6 = (x + 2)(x – 1)(ax + b) [C or D]
Q = 1 – 2 = –1 Consider x3 term, 2 = (1)(1)(a)  a = 2
Consider constant term, 6 = (2)(–1)(b)  b = –3
2003 – MC06 A  last factor (2x – 3)
(2x + 3)(x – a)  2x2 + b(x + 1)
2x2 + 3x – 2ax – 3a  2x2 + bx + b 1999 – MC38 E
2x2 + (3 – 2a)x – 3a  2x2 + bx + b Put x = 1 [x – 1 = 0  x = 1]
x : 3 – 2a = b …(1) R = (1)3 – 4(1)2 + a(1) + b = 0 (divisible)
constant : –3a = b a + b = 3 …(1)
Put into (1), 3 – 2a = –3a  a = –3 [A] Put x = –1 [x + 1 = 0  x = –1]
b = –3(–3) = 9 R = (–1)3 – 4(–1)2 + a(–1) + b = 12
–1 – 4 – a + b = 12
2004 – MC10 B –a + b = 17 …(2)
If a(2x – x2) + bx(2x – 1)  – 5x2 + 4x By (1), a = 3 – b, sub into (2)
Put x = 0.5 (so that 2x – 1 = 0) –(3 – b) + b = 17  2b = 17 + 3  b = 10 [A/E]
a(2  0.5 – (0.5)2) + 0  –5(0.5)2 + 4(0.5) a = 3 – 10 = –7
0.75a = 0.75
a=1

A-3 926814708.doc
 CE Maths

OR Put x = 1, R = 0 (1), put x = –1, R = 12 (2) 2005 – MC40 A

Put values of a, b in to options and check both (1) & (2) x + 1 =0  Put x = –1
true or not R = (–1)2k + 1 + k(–1) + k = (–1)2k(–1) – k + k
Option x=1 x = –1 = [(–1)2]k(–1) = –1
A. x3 – 4x2 + 5x + 10 12 
B. x3 – 4x2 + x + 2 0  –4 
C. x3 – 4x2 – 3x + 6 0  4 
D. x3 – 4x2 – 4x + 7 0  6 
E. x3 – 4x2 – 7x + 10 0  0 

2000 – MC09 D
(x – 1) is factor [Not E]

f (x) = (x – 1)(x2 – x – 6) [roots 3, –2]

= (x – 1)(x – 3)(x + 2)

2001 – MC03 A
Put x = –0.5 [2x + 1 = 0  x = –0.5]
R = [2(–0.5) – 1][(–0.5) + 1] + 2(–0.5) + 1
= –2(0.5) – 1 + 1 = –1

2001 – MC48 D
Let x3 + 2x2 + ax + b = (x + 1)(x – 2)(mx + n)
Consider x3 term, 1 = (1)(1)(m)  m = 1
Consider constant term, b = (1)(–2)(n)  b = –2n
RS = (x2 – x – 2)(x + n)
(1 –1 –2) (1 n)
1 –1 –2
n –n –2n
1 (n –1) (–n – 2) –2n
x2: n – 1 = 2  n = 3  last factor (x + 3)

2002 – MC38 D
Put x = –2 [x + 2 = 0  x = –2]
R = (–2)2 + a(–2) + b = –4  –2a + b = –8 (1)
Put x = 2 [x – 2 = 0  x = 2]
R = a(2)2 + b(2) + 1 = 9  4a + 2b = 8 (2)
By (1), b = 2a –8, put into (2)
4a + 2(2a –8) = 8  8a = 24  a = 3

2003 – MC02 C
f(–1) = (–1)3 + 2(–1)2 + k = 0  –1 + 2 + k = 0
 k = –1
Put x = 1 [x – 1 = 0  x = 1]
R = (1)3 + 2(1)2 – 1 = 2

2004 – MC40 B
Let x3 – 7x + 6 = (x + a)(x2 – 3x + k)
(1 a) (1, 3, k)
1 a
–3 –3a
k ka
1 (a – 3) (k – 3a) (ka)
comparing coefficients
0=a–3  a=3
–7 = k – 3a  k = 2

A-4 926814708.doc