NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4A Section Worksheets 5 More about Polynomials NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition)

athematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4A Section Worksheets 5 More about Polynomials

Enhanced 3. 16 x 2  2(4k  3) x  21 is divisible by 2x + k.

Worksheet 5.4 Factor Theorem

(Refer to Book 4A Ch5 p. 5.26 – 5.31)
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________

Key Points
Factor theorem
Consider a polynomial f(x).
(a) If f(a) = 0, then x – a is a factor of f(x).
Conversely, if x – a is a factor of f(x), then f(a) = 0.
In each of the following, find the values of a and b. (4 – 5)
n
(b) If f   = 0, then mx – n is a factor of f(x).
m 4. x  2 is a common factor of x 3  ax 2  4 x  2b and ax 3  x 2  bx  8 .
n
Conversely, if mx – n is a factor of f(x), then f   = 0.
m
Note: Factor theorem is only applicable for factorizing polynomials with linear factor(s).

Use the factor theorem to determine whether each of the following is a factor of f(x).
1. f ( x)  x 2  5 x  4
(a) x – 3 (b) x+2

5. 2 x 3  ax 2  bx  15 is divisible by x + 3 and x – 5.

In each of the following, find the value of k. (2 – 3)

2. x  2 is a factor of x 3  kx 2  kx  20 .

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NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4A Section Worksheets 5 More about Polynomials NSS Mathematics in Action (2nd Edition) 4A Section Worksheets 5 More about Polynomials

Factorize each of the following polynomials. (6 – 11) (Use program‼) (SPYC 2020-21 S6 Mock Exam)
6. x 3  4 x 2  7 x  10 7. 3 x 3  8 x 2  41x  30 It is given that f(x) is a cubic polynomial. When f(x) is divided by x – 1 and x + 2, the remainders
are –4 and –28 respectively. When f(x) is divided by (x – 1)(x + 2), the remainder is ax + b, where
a and b are constants.
(a) Find a and b. (3 marks)
(b) It is given that x – 2 is a factor of f(x). When f(x) is divided by x, the remainder is 2.
Someone claims that all the roots of f(x) = 0 are rational numbers. Do you agree? Explain
8.  x 3  3 x 2  13x  15 (!) 9. 2 x 3  24 x 2  90 x  100 (!)
your answer. (5 marks)

10. 3 x 3  3 x 2  24 x  36 (!) 11. x3  7 x 2  17 x  15 (!)

12. Let f ( x)  kx 3  18 x 2  x  6 . It is given that 2 x  1 is a factor of f (x ) .

(a) Find the value of k.
(b) Solve f ( x)  0 .

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