Algebra Revision Questions

1. Find the values of the unknown constants in the identity

x 3  2 x  3  ( x  2)( Ax 2  Bx  C )  D

2. If  and  are roots of the quadratic equation x 2  4 x  2  0 find the quadratic equation
that has roots
(a)  2 ,  2
(b) (  2 ), (  2 )

3. If  ,  ,  are the roots of the following equations, write down the values of  ,  and

(a) 4 x 3  x 2  2 x  7
(b) x 3  x  0

4. If the equation x 3  2 x 2  5x  1  0 has roots  ,  ,  use the substitution method to find

equations with roots
(a)   2,   2,   2
(b) 2 , 2 , 2

5. Find the numerical value of k such that the roots of the equation

x 3  9 x 2  kx  21  0
are in arithmetical progression and, when k takes this value, state in surd form the two
irrational roots of the equation.

6. Find the relationship between a, b, c, and d if the roots of the equation

ax 3  bx 2  cx  d  0 are in geometric progression.

7. If       2 ,       5 and   6 write down the equation with roots

 ,  ,  and hence evaluate  ,  and 

3 1
8. Find the quartic equation with integer coefficients whose roots are 3, ,  , 2
2 2

9. Find the equation whose roots are given by adding 2 to the roots of the equation

x 4  3x 3  13x 2  51x  36  0

Answers
1. A = 1, B = 2, C = 6, D = 9
3. (a) 1/4, 1/2, 7/4 (b) 0, -1, 0
5. 25, 3  2
7. x 3  2 x 2  5x  6  0 , -2, 1, 3
9. w4  5w3  7w2  5w  6  0
2. (a) x 2  12 x  4  0 (b) x 2  12 x  34  0
4. (a) x 3  8x 2  15x  7  0 (b) x 3  4 x 2  20 x  8  0
6. b 3 d  c 3 a
8. 4 x 4  8x 3  23x 2  27 x  18  0