Topic 1.

2: Polynomials, quotient and remainder

You should be able to:
 add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials
 understand the words ‘quotient’ and ‘remainder’ used in dividing polynomials
 use the method of equating coefficients
 use the remainder theorem and the factor theorem.

1.2.1 Polynomials, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing

Polynomials = sum of all the terms of axn, where n = 0, 1, 2,…..
a = coefficients
n = degree of the polynomial
0 = constant polynomial
1 = linear
2 = quadratic
3 = cubic
4 = quartic

Example 1: (Page 6, Q4d)

f(x) = x3 – 2x2 + 5x – 3 and g(x) = x2 – x + 4. Simplify 3f(x) – 2g(x).

Example 2: (p.6, Q5l)

Evaluate (x2 + 1)(x – 3)(2x2 – x + 1).

1.2.2 Polynomial identities

Example 3: (P. 6, Q7h)
Find the values of A and B for the following polynomial.
(Ax + B)(3x2 – 2x – 1) ≡ 6x3 – 7x2 + 1

Example 4:
Given that for all real values of x,
2x3 + 3x2 – 14x – 5 ≡ (Ax + B)(x + 3)(x + 1) + C
Find A, B, and C.

1.2.3 Division of a polynomial with a linear or a quadratic polynomial

Example 5:
Factorise x3 + 3x + 14 given that one factor is (x + 2).

Example 6:
Find the quotient and the remainder of x4 – x3 + 5x2 + 4x – 36 ÷ (x2 – x + 9).

Example 7
1.3 Remainder theorem, Factor theorem, Solving polynomial
equations
1.3.1 REMAINDER THEOREM
When a polynomial f(x) is divided by x – a, the remainder R is f(a).

Example 8:
Find the remainder for 3x 4 + x2 – 7x + 6 ÷ (x + 3).

1.3.2 FACTOR THEOREM

If x – a is a factor of f(x), then f(a) = 0
If f(a) = 0, then x – a is a factor of f(x).

Example 9
Find one of the factors of the following polynomial by factor theorem:
(a) 2x3 – 9x2 + 7x + 6
(b) 2x3 + 3x2 – 8x + 3

Example 10
Given that both (x – 1) and (x – 2) are factors of 2x3 – x2 + ax + b, find the values of
a and b.

Ex 2: Dividing a polynomial using a quadratic expression, remainder and factor

theorem
1. Factorise the following polynomial with a given factor:
(a) x4 – 5x – 1 with factor (x2 – x – 2)
(b) x4 + x3 – 12x2 – 4x + 16 with factor (x2 + 2x – 8)
(c) 6x3 + 5x2 – 17x – 6 with factor (3x2 + 7x + 2)
(d) 2x3 – x2 – 15x + 18 with factor (x2 + x – 6)

2. Using factor theorem solve the following questions:

(a) Determine if any of the following expression is a factor of 6x4 – x3 – 21x2 – 6x + 8:
(i) x – 1
(ii) x + 2
(iii) x – 2
(b) Find a factor for each of the following functions:-
(i) 4x4 - 4x3 – 9x2 + x + 2
(ii) x4 – x3 + 5x2 + 4x – 36
(iii) x3 – 2x2 – 7x + 12
3. Given that f(x) = x3 + ax + b. If (x – 1) is a factor of f(x) and the remainder is – 6
when f(x) is divided by (x + 1), find the values of constants a and b.
4. Given that 6x3 + x2 – 29x + d is divisible by both 2x – 1 and x + 3, find the values
of c and d.
5. The cubic polynomial 2x3 + 5x2 + ax – 6, where a is a constant, is denoted by f(x).
Given that (x + 2) is a factor of f(x), find the value of a.
1.3.3 Solving polynomial equations

Example 1 Solve the equation 2x3 – 7x2 + 9 = 0

Example 2 Solve the equation 2x3 = 9x2 – 11x + 2, giving your answer correct to 2
decimal places where necessary.

Exercise 3: Solving polynomial equations

1. Solve the following equations:
(a) 2x3 = x2 + 5x + 2
(b) x3 + 16 = 12x
(c) 2x3 + 5x2 = 2 – x
(d) 4x3 + 3x2 – 16x = 12
(e) 2x3 – 11x = 6 – 3x2
(f) x3 + 4 = x (x + 4)
4
(g) x  3 
2

x
(h) x(x + 3)(x – 1) = x + 8

2. Solve the following equations, giving your answer correct to 2 decimal places
where necessary.
(a) x3 + x2 – 8x + 4 = 0
(b) 3x3 = 5x + 2
(c) 8x + 6 = x3 + x2
(d) 2x2 + 7x = x3 + 12
(e) 3x3 + 5x2 = 3x + 2
(f) 2x3 + 6x – 6 = (13x – 6)(x – 1)

3. Given that P(x) = x4 + ax3 – x2 + bx – 12 has factors x – 2 and x + 1, solve the

equation P(x) = 0.

4. Given f(x) = 2x3 + ax2 – 7a2x – 6a3, determine whether or not x – a and x + a are
factors of f(x). Hence find, in terms of a, the roots of f(x) = 0.