Algebra

2 x 3−17 x−1
1. Express in partial fractions. [6] (ZIMSEC N2014
( x−2 ) ( x 2 +5)
#6)

2. The remainder when 4 x 4−5 x 2−13 x+ 3 is divided by ( x +b) is equal to the square of
the remainder when 2 x2 −3 is divided by x +b.
Calculate the possible values of b correct to 2 decimal places . [4] (ZIMSEC N2014
#8b)

3. The polynomials f ( x )=x 3−x 2 + 4 x and Q ( x ) =x3 +6 x−10 leave the same
e remainder when divided by ( x−a).
(a) Find the possible values of a [3] (ZIMSEC J2014 #5)
4. Given that ( x +k ) is a factor of x 3+ 2 x 2−3 x−6,where k > 0.
Find
the value of k
i. [2]
3 2
the exact roots of the equation x + 2 x −3 x−6=0 .
ii. [3] (ZIMSEC N2014 #8b)
3 2 2
5. When a polynomial f ( x )=x +ax +bx +c is divided by x −4 the remainder is2 x+11.If the
values a , b∧c .

[5]
4 x+6
(i) Express in partial fractions.
( x+2 ) ( x+ 1 ) (x+3)

[3]
b (i) Express 4 x3 −6 x 2+2 x in the form Ax ( x+1 )( x +2 ) +Bx ( x +1 ) +Cx where A,B and C are
constants
[3] (ZIMSEC J2013 #5)
3 2
6. The function f(x) has the equation f ( x )=2 x + bx + x −2
Given that 2 x−1is afactor of f(x)
i. find the value of b [2]
ii. factories f(x) completely [3] (ZIMSEC N2012 #8)
4
x
7. Express 4 in partial fractions.
x −1
[5] (ZIMSEC J2012 #5)
3 2
8. The cubic polynomial f(x) is given by f ( x )=2 x + 6 x + kx+12 where k is a constant
The f(x) is a leaves a remainder of 6 when divided by x +2.

Find
(a) The value k [2]
(b) the solution of the equation f(x)=9,given that it has only one real root [5]
 3
Express the function 2 in partial fractions
x ( x +3)
[3]
(ZIMSEC N2011 #2)

2 2
9 Find the product of x −3 x−5and x + 3 x −2 [1] (ZIMSEC J2011 #2)

10. One root of the equation x 4 +ax 3 +bx 2 +16 x−12=0 is 2 and the other root is -2
Find
(a)the values of a and b [4]
(b)the other two roots using a and b found in (a) above [4] (ZIMSEC J2011 #12)

11. Show that 2 x3 −x 2+8 x−4=( 2 x −1 ) ( x2 + 4) [2]

2
x +2 x +20
(ii)Express 2 in partial fractions [4] (ZIMSEC J2011 #14)
2 x 3−x + 8 x−4

12. Express 12−4 x 2∈the form c−( ax+b)2 where a ,b and c are constants to be found
2
13. Express in partial fractions 5 x +7 x+ 9 [5]
¿¿

b. Given that 3 x−2is a factor of 6 x 3+ 8 x2 + kx+2 find the value of k

Hence find all the roots of the equation 6 x 3+ 8 x2 + kx+2=0
Giving your answers in exact form [4]

6 x 2 ± 7 x −2
C. Express into partial fractions
( x−1 )( x−2 ) (x +2)
[3] (ZIMSEC N2009 #3,
6, 15)

14. Given that x−1∧x −bare factors of the polynomial f ( x )=x 3 +2 ax +bx−1where
a> o∧b>0 find the values of a and b [5]

1+ x
b. Express in partial fractions [2]
( 2+ x ) (3 x +5)

(ii) By putting x =√ 3 or otherwise obtain an expression for

1+ √ 3
(3 √ 3+5)¿
2+ √3 ¿
In the form a+ b √ 3 where a and b are intergers [3] (ZIMSEC N2008 #13)

15. Find the values of a ,b, and c such that

2 x 4 +6 x 3+7 x 2 +15 x+5=( x 2 3 x +1 ) (ax 2 +bx +c )
For all values of x [3] (ZIMSEC N2007 #1)

The polynomial x 3+ px 2 +qx−81,where p and q are constants has factors

( x +1 )∧( x −3) .Calculate the value of p and q [4] (ZIMSEC N2006 #1)

x +3
12(a). Given that f ( x )= , Express f(x)in partial fractions. [4] (ZIMSEC N2005 #12
x ( x 2+ 9)
further )

Express 1−10 x + x 2 in ther form A ¿where A and B are constants .

[2](ZIMSEC N2005 #......)

Given that 1−10 x + x 2=0 show that ¿ ¿ [1] (ZIMSEC N2005 #......)
By taking positive square roots show that one of the roots of the equation 1−10 x + x 2=0 is

given by x=
√ 3−√ 2 [3](ZIMSEC N2005 #......)
√ 3+ √ 2
8(i) Express 4 x2 +6 x +3 in the form (ax +b ¿ ¿2 +c where a,b and c are constants whose
values are to be found. [2] (ZIMSEC N2005 #8(i))

(ii)Find the set of values for which 4 x2 +6 x +3>13 [3] (ZIMSEC N2005 #8(ii)

1
(iii)Find the set of values taken by 2 for real x [2] (ZIMSEC N2005 #8(iii)
4 x +6 x+ 3

NOV 2004
1. Given that ( x−1 )∧( x+ 3) are factors of the polynomial x 3+ ax 2+ bx−9 find the
values of a and b [3]
2
x +4 x 84
10.(b)Given that the equation + 2 =11 is solved by using the substitution
3 x +4 x
y=x 2 +4 x

(i)Reduce the equation to a quadratic in y

[3]

(ii) Hence solve the original equation

[3]
NOV 1999
 1. It is given that f ( x )=x 3 +ax−14 ,where a is a constant .It is given that (x−2) is a
factor of f(x). Find the values of the constant a.
[2]
JUNE 1996
1. It is given that ( x +2) is a factor of x 4 −4 x 2 +2 x +a .Find the values of the constant a

3
12. Express in partial fractions.
( 2 x +1 ) ( x−1)
[3]
JUNE 1993
1. Show that both x−√ 3∧( x + √ 3) are factors of x 4 + x 3−x 2−3 x−6
Hence write down the quadratic factor of x 4 + x 3−x 2−3 x−6 ,and find a second
quadratic factor of this polynomial.
[3]

3. Express 2 x2 +5 x +4 in the form a ¿, stating the numerical valueus of a b and c

[4]
5
12. Express in the form
( x+1 ) (x 2 +4 )

A Bx C
+ 2 + 2
x+1 x +4 x +4

Where numerical values of A ,B and C are to be found

[4]

CAMBRIDGE WORLD
JUNE 1992
1.Find the value of a for which (x-2) is afactor of 3 x 3+ ax 2+ x−2 [2]
3 2
Show that for this value of a the cubic 3 x + ax + x−2=0 has only one real root [3]

NOV 1991
1. The cubic polynomial x 3+ ax 2+ bx−8 where a and b are constants whose values are
constants ,has factors (x+1) and (x+2) .Find the values of a and b.
[4]
 13(1)Express 9 x 2+ 12 x + 7 in the form (a x +b ¿2 +c where a,b,c are constants whose values are
to be found
[2]
i. Find the set of values of x for which 9 x 2+12 x +7>19 [4]
1
(ii). Find the set of values taken by 2 +12 x+7 for real values (x) [2]
9x

x 2 +5 x
14. Let f ( x )= Expressed in the form
( 1+ x ) ¿ ¿
A B C
+ +
1+ x 1−x ¿ ¿
Where A,B,C are constants
[5]
06 JUNE 1991
13. The polynomial x 5−3 x 4 +2 x3 −2 x 2 +3 x+1 is denoted by f (x)
(i). Show that ( x−1 )∧( x+ 1) is a factor of f (x). [2]
(ii). By substituting x=1∧x =−1 in the identity.
f ( x ) ≡(x ¿¿ 2−1)qx+ ax+ b ¿
whereq ( x) is a polynomial a∧b are constants or otherwise find the remainder when f (x) is divided
by ( x 2+ 1) the remaider is 2 x.
[3]
(iii)Show by carrying out the division ,or otherwise that when f (x) is divided by ( x 2+ 1) the
remainder is 2 x.
[3]
(iv). Find all the real roots of the equation f ( x )=2 x .
[4]
14. Express f ( x ) ∈∂ fractions where
2+ x +2 x 2
f ( x )=
( 2+ x ) (1+ x 2)
[5]
Hence or otherwise show that x is sufficiently small for x 4 and higher powers to be neglected then
1
f ( x ) ≈ 1− x3 [5]
2
JUNE 1987
1. Given that x−2 is a factor of the polynomial 2 x3 + a x 2−5 x +6 find the value of the
constant a .
[3]
5x
2. Express in partial fractions.
( x+2 ) ( x 2 +1)
[3]
NOV 1987
 x2 +3 x +1
2.Express in partial fractions
( x+1 ) ( x +2)
[4]
NOV 1988
x−4
6. Express in partial fractions [5]
( 2 x +1 ) ¿¿

Other sources
P.T.O Page 1.
5. If ( x +1 ) is a factor of 2 x3 +7 x 2 +kx−3=f ( x ) .
Find the value of k. [2]
Then find all the roots of f ( x )=0 [3]