Important Polynomials Questions

1. Give an example of a monomial and a binomial having degrees of 82 and 99,

respectively.

Solution:

An example of a monomial having a degree of 82 = x82

An example of a binomial having a degree of 99 = x99 + x

2. Compute the value of 9x2 + 4y2 if xy = 6 and 3x + 2y = 12.

Solution:

Consider the equation 3x + 2y = 12

Now, square both sides:

(3x + 2y)2 = 122

=> 9x2 + 12xy + 4y2 = 144

=>9x2 + 4y2 = 144 – 12xy

From the questions, xy = 6

So,

9x2 + 4y2 = 144 – 72

Thus, the value of 9x2 + 4y2 = 72

3.  Find the value of the polynomial 5x – 4x2 + 3 at x = 2 and x = –1.

Solution:

Let the polynomial be f(x) = 5x – 4x2 + 3

Now, for x = 2,

f(2) = 5(2) – 4(2)2 + 3

=> f(2) = 10 – 16 + 3 = –3

Or, the value of the polynomial 5x – 4x2 + 3 at x = 2 is -3.

Similarly, for x = –1,

f(–1) = 5(–1) – 4(–1)2 + 3

=> f(–1) = –5 –4 + 3 = -6

The value of the polynomial 5x – 4x2 + 3 at x = -1 is -6.

4. Calculate the perimeter of a rectangle whose area is 25x2 – 35x + 12. 

Solution:

Given,

Area of rectangle = 25x2 – 35x + 12

We know, area of rectangle = length × breadth

So, by factoring 25x2 – 35x + 12, the length and breadth can be obtained.

25x2 – 35x + 12 = 25x2 – 15x – 20x + 12

=> 25x2 – 35x + 12 = 5x(5x – 3) – 4(5x – 3)

=> 25x2 – 35x + 12 = (5x – 3)(5x – 4)

So, the length and breadth are (5x – 3)(5x – 4).

Now, perimeter = 2(length + breadth)

So, perimeter of the rectangle = 2[(5x – 3)+(5x – 4)]

= 2(5x – 3 + 5x – 4) = 2(10x – 7) = 20x – 14

So, the perimeter = 20x – 14

5. Find the value of x3 + y3 + z3 – 3xyz if x2 + y2 + z2 = 83 and x + y + z = 15

Solution:

Consider the equation x + y + z = 15

From algebraic identities, we know that (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2(ab + bc + ca)

So,

(x + y + z)2 = x2 + y2 + z2 + 2(xy + yz + xz)

From the question, x2 + y2 + z2 = 83 and x + y + z = 15

So,
152 = 83 + 2(xy + yz + xz)

=> 225 – 83 = 2(xy + yz + xz)

Or, xy + yz + xz = 142/2 = 71

Using algebraic identity a³ + b³ + c³ – 3abc = (a + b + c)(a² + b² + c² – ab – bc – ca),

x3 + y3 + z3 – 3xyz = (x + y + z)(x² + y² + z² – (xy + yz + xz))

Now,

x + y + z = 15, x² + y² + z² = 83 and xy + yz + xz = 71

So, x3 + y3 + z3 – 3xyz = 15(83 – 71)

=> x3 + y3 + z3 – 3xyz = 15 × 12

Or, x3 + y3 + z3 – 3xyz = 180

6. If a + b + c = 15 and a2 + b2 + c2 = 83, find the value of a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc.

Solution:

We know that,

a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc = (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc – ca) ….(i)

(a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca ….(ii)

Given, a + b + c = 15 and a2 + b2 + c2 = 83

From (ii), we have

152 = 83 + 2(ab + bc + ca)

⇒ 225 – 83 = 2(ab + bc + ca)

⇒ 142/2 = ab + bc + ca

⇒ ab + bc + ca = 71

Now, (i) can be written as

a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc = (a + b + c)[(a2 + b2 + c2 ) – (ab + bc + ca)]

a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc = 15 × [83 – 71] = 15 × 12 = 180.

7. If (x – 1/x) = 4, then evaluate (x2 + 1/x2) and (x4 + 1/x4).

Solution:

Given, (x – 1/x) = 4

Squaring both sides we get,

(x – 1/x)2 = 16

⇒ x2 – 2.x.1/x + 1/x2 = 16

⇒ x2 – 2 + 1/x2 = 16

⇒ x2 + 1/x2 = 16 + 2 = 18

∴ (x2 + 1/x2) = 18 ….(i)

Again, squaring both sides of (i), we get

(x2 + 1/x2)2 = 324

⇒ x4 + 2.x2.1/x2 + 1/x4 = 324

⇒ x4 + 2 + 1/x4 = 324

⇒ x4 + 1/x4 = 324 – 2 = 322

∴ (x4 + 1/x4) = 322.

8. Find the values of a and b so that (2x3 + ax2 + x + b) has (x + 2) and (2x – 1) as factors.

Solution:

Let p(x) = 2x3 + ax2 + x + b. Then, p( –2) = and p(½) = 0.

p(2) = 2(2)3 + a(2)2 + 2 + b = 0

⇒ –16 + 4a – 2 + b = 0 ⇒ 4a + b = 18 ….(i)

p(½) = 2(½)3 + a(½)2 + (½) + b = 0

⇒ a + 4b = –3 ….(ii)

On solving (i) and (ii), we get a = 5 and b = –2.

Hence, a = 5 and b = –2.

9. Check whether (7 + 3x) is a factor of (3x3 + 7x).

Solution:
Let p(x) = 3x3 + 7x and g(x) = 7 + 3x. Now g(x) = 0 ⇒ x = –7/3.

By the remainder theorem, we know that when p(x) is divided by g(x) then the remainder is
p(–7/3).

Now, p(–7/3) = 3(–7/3)3 + 7(–7/3) = –490/9 ≠ 0.

∴ g(x) is not a factor of p(x).

10. Factorise x2 + 1/x2 + 2 – 2x – 2/x.

Solution: 

x2 + 1/x2 + 2 – 2x – 2/x = (x2 + 1/x2 + 2) – 2(x + 1/x)

= (x + 1/x)2 – 2(x + 1/x)

= (x + 1/x)(x + 1/x – 2).

11. Factorise x2 – 1 – 2a – a2.

Solution:

x2 – 1 – 2a – a2 = x2 – (1 + 2a + a2)

= x2 – (1 + a)2

= [x – (1 – a)][x + 1 + a]

= (x – 1 – a)(x + 1 + a)

∴ x2 – 1 – 2a – a2 = (x – 1 – a)(x + 1 + a).