Examination Style Questions: The Factor and Remainder Theorems

Question 1

The polynomial f ( x ) is defined by:

f ( x ) = x3 + x 2 9 x 9

a) Use the factor theorem to show that x + 1 is a factor of f ( x ) (2 marks)

b) Fully factorise f ( x ) (3 marks)

c) Hence solve f ( x ) = 0 (2 marks)

Question 2
The polynomial f ( x ) is defined by:

f ( x ) = 2 x3 + ax 2 x 6

a) Given that x 1 is a factor of f ( x ) , find the value of a (3 marks)

b) Find the remainder, if one exists, when f ( x ) is divided by x + 2 (2 marks)

c) Using your value of a found in (i) fully factorise f ( x ) (3 marks)

Question 3
The polynomial p ( x ) is defined by:

p ( x ) = kx3 12 x k

When p ( x ) is divided by x 2 the remainder is -3.

a) Find the value of k (3 marks)

b) Using your value of k , find the coefficient of x in the expansion of ( x + 3 ) p ( x )

(4 marks)

Mathsbridge 2010 - 2011

www.mathsbridge.co.uk
Examination Style Questions: The Factor and Remainder Theorems

Question 1

The polynomial f ( x ) is defined by:

f ( x ) = x3 + x 2 9 x 9

a) Use the factor theorem to show that x + 1 is a factor of f ( x ) (2 marks)

b) Fully factorise f ( x ) (3 marks)

c) Hence solve f ( x ) = 0 (2 marks)

Solution
3 2
a) f ( 1) = ( 1) + ( 1) 9 ( 1) 9 = 0 therefore x + 1 is a factor of f ( x )

( )
b) f ( x ) = ( x + 1) x2 9 = ( x + 1) ( x 3) ( x + 3)

c) ( x + 1) ( x 3) ( x + 3) = 0
x = 1, x = 3, x = 3
Question 2
The polynomial f ( x ) is defined by:

f ( x ) = 2 x3 + ax 2 x 6

a) Given that x 1 is a factor of f ( x ) , find the value of a (3 marks)

b) Find the remainder, if one exists, when f ( x ) is divided by x + 2 (2 marks)

c) Using your value of a found in (i) fully factorise f ( x ) (3 marks)

Solution

a) Since x 1 is a factor of f ( x ) , then f (1) = 0 ,

3 2
2 (1) + a (1) 1 6 = 0
a = 5
3 2
b) f ( 2 ) = 2 ( 2 ) + 5 ( 2 ) ( 2 ) 6 = 0

x + 2 is a factor of f ( x ) and there is no remainder

c) ( x 1) (2 x2 + 7 x + 6 ) = ( x 1) (2x + 3) ( x + 2)

Mathsbridge 2010 - 2011

www.mathsbridge.co.uk
Examination Style Questions: The Factor and Remainder Theorems

Question 3

The polynomial p ( x ) is defined by:

p ( x ) = kx3 12 x k

When p ( x ) is divided by x 2 the remainder is -3.

a) Find the value of k (3 marks)

b) Using your value of k , find the coefficient of x in the expansion of ( x + 3 ) p ( x )

(4 marks)
Solution
3
a) f ( 2 ) = k ( 2 ) 12 ( 2 ) k = 3

k = 3

b) ( x + 3) (3x3 12 x 3) , so the coefficient of x comes from -3x1 +3x-12=-39

Mathsbridge 2010 - 2011

www.mathsbridge.co.uk