NCERT Solutions Class 9 Maths

Chapter 2 Exercise 2.4

Q1. Determine which of the following polynomials has (x + 1) a factor:

(i) x3 + x2 + x + 1 (ii) x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1

(iii) x4 + 3x3 + 3x2 + x + 1 (iv) x 3 − x 2 − (2 + 2) x + 2

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reasoning:
When a polynomial p(x) is divided by x – a and if p(a) = 0 then (x – a) is a factor of
p(x). The root of x+1=0 is –1.

Solution:
(i) Let p( x) = x + x + x + 1
3 2

 p(−1) = (−1)3 + (−1) 2 + (−1) + 1

= −1 + 1 − 1 + 1 = 0

Since the remainder of p( − 1) = 0 , we conclude that x+1 is a factor of x3 + x2 + x + 1.

(ii) Let p( x) = x + x + x + x + 1
4 3 2

 p(−1) = (−1)4 + (−1)3 + (−1)2 + (−1) + 1

= 1 − 1 + 1 − 1 + 1
=1 0

Since the remainder of p(−1)  0 , we conclude that x+1 in not a factor of

x 4 + x3 + x 2 + x + 1 .
(iii) Let p( x) = x + 3x + 3x + x + 1
4 3 2

 p(−1) = (−1) 4 + 3(−1)3 + 3(−1) 2 + (−1) + 1

=1− 3 + 3 −1+1
=1 0

Since the remainder of p(−1)  0 , x+1 is not a factor of x4 + 3x3 + 3x2 + x + 1.

(iv) Let p ( x) = x 3 − x 2 − (2 + 2) x + 2
 p(−1) = (−1)3 − (−1) 2 − (2 + 2)( −1) + 2
= −1 − 1 + 2 + 2 + 2
=2 2
Since the remainder of p(−1)  0 , (x+1) is not a factor of x 3 − x 2 − (2 + 2) x + 2 .
Q2. Use the Factor Theorem to determine whether g(x) is a factor of p(x) in each
of the following cases:
(i) p( x) = 2 x3 + x 2 − 2 x − 1, g ( x) = x + 1

(ii) p( x) = x 3 + 3x 2 + 3x + 1, g ( x) = x + 2

(iii) p( x) = x3 − 4 x 2 + x + 6, g ( x) = x − 3

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reasoning:
By factor theorem, (x – a) is a factor of a polynomial p(x) if p(a) = 0.

To find if g(x )= x+a is a factor of p(x), we need to find the root of g(x).
x + a = 0 → x = –a

Solution:
(i) Let p( x) = 2 x + x − 2 x − 1, g ( x) = x + 1
3 2

x + 1 = 0 → x = –1
Now,
p (−1) = 2(−1)3 + (−1) 2 − 2(−1) − 1
= −2 + 1 + 2 − 1
=0

Since the remainder of p(−1) = 0 , by factor theorem we can say g ( x ) = x + 1 is a factor

of p( x) = 2 x 3 + x 2 − 2 x − 1.

(ii) Let p( x) = x + 3x + 3x + 1, g ( x) = x + 2
3 2

x+2=0 → x = –2
Now,
p (−2) = (−2)3 + 3(−2) 2 + 3(−2) + 1
= −8 + 12 − 6 + 1
= −1  0

Since the remainder of p(−2)  0 , by factor theorem we can say g(x) = x+2 is not a
factor of p( x) = x + 3x + 3x + 1.
3 2

(iii) Let p( x) = x − 4 x + x + 6, g ( x) = x − 3
3 2

x − 3 = 0 → x =3
Now,
p (3) = (3)3 − 4(3) 2 + 3 + 6
= 27 − 36 + 3 + 6
=0
Since the remainder of p(3) = 0 , by factor theorem we can say g(x) = x-3 is a factor of
p( x) = x 3 − 4 x 2 + x + 6.

Q3. Find the value of k, if x – 1 is a factor of p(x) in each of the following cases:

Difficulty Level: Medium

(i) p( x) = x 2 + x + k (ii) p( x) = 2 x 2 + kx + 2

(iii) p( x) = kx 2 − 2 x + 1 (iv) p( x) = kx 2 − 3x + k

Reasoning:
By factor theorem, if x-1 is a factor of p(x), then p (1) = 0 .

Solution:
(i)
p ( x) = x 2 + x + k
p (1) = (1) 2 + (1) + k
0=2+k
 k = −2

(ii)
p ( x) = 2 x 2 + kx + 2
p (1) = 2(1) 2 + k (1) + 2
0=2+k + 2
 k = −(2 + 2)

(iii)
p( x) = kx 2 − 2 x + 1
p(1) = k (1) 2 − 2(1) + 1
0 = k − 2 +1
 k = 2 −1

(iv)
p( x) = kx 2 − 3x − k
p(1) = k (12 ) − 3(1) − k
0 = 2k − 3
3
k =
2
Q4. Factorise:
(i) 12 x 2 − 7 x + 1 (ii) 2 x 2 + 7 x + 3

(iii) 6x2 + 5x − 6 (iv) 3x2 − x − 4

Reasoning:
By splitting method, we can find factors using the following method.
Find 2 numbers p, q such that:
i. p + q = co-efficient of x
ii. pq = co-efficient of x2 and the constant term.

Solution:
(i) 12 x − 7 x + 1
2

p + q = −7 (co-efficient of x)
pq = 12  1 = 12 (co-efficient of x 2 and the constant term.)

By trial and error method, we get p = −4, q = −3.

Now splitting the middle term of the given polynomial,
12x2 − 7 x + 1 = 12 x2 − 4 x − 3x + 1
= 4 x(3x − 1) − 1(3x − 1)
= (3x − 1)(4 x − 1) (taking (3x − 1) as common)

(ii) 2 x + 7 x + 3
2

p + q = 7 (co-efficient of x)
pq = 2  3 = 6 (co-efficient of x 2 and the constant term.)

By trial and error method, we get p = 6, q = 1.

Now splitting the middle term of the given polynomial,
2 x2 + 7 x + 3 = 2 x2 + 6 x + x + 3
= 2 x( x + 3) + 1( x + 3)
= (2 x + 1)( x + 3)

(iii) 6x2 + 5x − 6
p + q = 5 (co-efficient of x)
pq = 6  ( −6 ) = −36 (co-efficient of x 2 and the constant term.)

By trial and error method, we get p = 9, q = −4.

Now splitting the middle term of the given polynomial,

6 x2 + 5x − 6 = 6 x2 + 9 x − 4 x − 6
= 3x(2 x + 3) − 2(2 x + 3)
= (3x − 2)(2 x + 3)
(iv) 3x2 − x − 4
p + q = −1 (co-efficient of x)

pq = 3  ( −4 ) = −12 (co-efficient of x 2 and the constant term.)

By trial and error method, we get p = −4, q = 3.

Now splitting the middle term of the given polynomial,
3x 2 − x − 4 = 3x 2 − 4 x + 3x − 4
= 3x 2 + 3x − 4 x − 4
= 3x( x + 1) − 4( x + 1)
= (3x − 4)( x + 1)

Q5. Factorise:
(i) x3 − 2 x2 − x + 2 (ii) x3 − 3x2 − 9 x − 5

(iii) x3 + 13x2 + 32 x + 20 (iv) 2 y 3 + y 2 − 2 y − 1

Solution:
(i) Let p( x) = x − 2 x − x + 2
3 2

By the factor theorem we know that x-a is a factor of p ( x ) if p (a) = 0.

We shall find a factor of p(x) by using some trial value of x, say x = 1.
p (1) = (1)3 − 2(1) 2 − 1 + 2
=1− 2 −1+ 2
=0
Since the remainder of p(1) = 0 , by factor theorem we can say x = 1 is a factor of
p( x) = x 3 − 2 x 2 − x + 2.
Now divide p(x) by x-1 using long division,
x2 − x − 2
x − 1 x3 − 2 x 2 − x + 2
x3 − x 2
− x2 − x
− x2 + x
− 2x + 2
− 2x + 2
0
Hence x − 2 x − x + 2 = ( x − 1)( x − x − 2)
3 2 2

Now taking x2 − x − 2 , find 2 numbers p, q such that:

i. p + q = co-efficient of x
ii. pq = co-efficient of 2 and the constant term.
p + q = −1 (co-efficient
x of x)
pq = 1 ( −2 ) = −2 (co-efficient of and the constant term.)
x2
By trial and error method, we get p = −2, q = 1.
Now splitting the middle term of the given polynomial,
x2 − x − 2 = x2 − 2x + x − 2
= x( x − 2) + 1( x − 2)
= ( x + 1)( x − 2)
 x − 2 x − x + 2 = ( x − 1)( x − 2)( x + 1)
3 2

Method 2:
x3 − 2 x 2 − x + 2 = ( x 3 − 2 x 2 ) − ( x − 2)
= x 2 ( x − 2) − 1( x − 2)
= ( x − 2)( x 2 − 1)
= ( x − 2)( x + 1)( x − 1)
(By using a 2 − b 2 = (a + b)(a − b) )

(ii) Let p( x) = x − 3x − 9 x − 5
3 2

By the factor theorem we know that x − a is a factor of p ( x ) if p(a) = 0.

We shall find a factor of p(x) by using some trial value of x, say x = 1.
p(1) = (1)3 − 3(1) 2 − 9(1) − 5
=1− 3 − 9 − 5
= −16  0
Since the remainder of p(1)  0 , by factor theorem we can say x=1 is not a factor of
p( x) = x3 − 3x 2 − 9 x − 5.

Now say x = -1.

p(−1) = (−1)3 − 3(−1) 2 − 9(−1) − 5
= −1 − 3 + 9 − 5
= −9 + 9 = 0
Since the remainder of p(−1) = 0 , by factor theorem we can say x=-1 is a factor of
p( x) = x3 − 3x 2 − 9 x − 5.

Now dividing p(x) by x+1using long division.

x2 − 4x − 5
x + 1 x − 3x − 9 x − 5
3 2

x3 + x 2
− 4 x2 − 9 x
− 4 x2 − 4 x
− 5x − 5
− 5x − 5
0
Hence x − 3x − 9 x − 5 = ( x + 1)( x − 4 x − 5)
3 2 2
Now taking x − 4 x − 5, find 2 numbers p, q such that:
2

i. p + q = co-efficient of x
ii. pq = co-efficient of x2 and the constant term.

p + q = −4 (co-efficient of x)
pq = 1 −5 = −5 (co-efficient of x 2 and the constant term.)

By trial and error method, we get p = −5, q = 1.

Now splitting the middle term of the given polynomial,
x2 − 4 x − 5 = x2 − 5x + x − 5
= x( x − 5) + 1( x − 5)
= ( x + 1)( x − 5)
 x − 2 x − x + 2 = ( x + 1)( x − 5)( x + 1)
3 2

= ( x + 1) 2 ( x − 5)

(iii) Let p( x) = x + 13x + 32 x + 20

3 2

By the factor theorem we know that x-a is a factor of p(x) if p(a) = 0.

We shall find a factor of p(x) by using some trial value of x, say x = -1. (Since all the
terms are positive.)
p(−1) = (−1)3 + 13(−1) 2 + 32(−1) + 20
= −1 + 13 − 32 + 20
=0

Since the remainder of p(−1) = 0 , by factor theorem we can say x=-1 is a factor of
p( x) = x 3 + 13x 2 + 32 x + 20.

Now dividing p(x) by x+1 using long division,

x 2 + 12 x + 20
x + 1 x3 + 13x 2 + 32 x + 20
x3 + x 2
12 x 2 + 32 x
12 x 2 + 12 x
20 x + 20
20 x + 20
0
 x + 13x + 32 x + 20 = ( x + 1)( x 2 + 12 x + 20)
3 2
Now taking x2 + 12 x + 20, find 2 numbers p, q such that:
i. p + q = co-efficient of2x
ii. pq = co-efficient of
x and the constant term.

p + q = 12 (co-efficient of x) 2
pq = 1 20 = 20 (co-efficient of x and the constant term.)
By trial and error method, we get p = 10, q = 2.
Now splitting the middle term of the given polynomial,
x2 + 12x + 20 = x2 + 10x + 2x + 20
= x( x + 10) + 2( x + 10)
= ( x + 10)( x + 2)
 x + 13x + 32x + 20 = ( x + 1)( x + 10)( x + 2)
3 2

Method 2:
x3 + 13x2 + 32x + 20 = x3 + 10x2 + 3x2 + 30x + 2x + 20
= x 2 ( x + 10) + 3x( x + 10) + 2( x + 10)
= ( x + 10)( x 2 + 3x + 2)
= ( x + 10)( x 2 + 2 x + x + 2)
= ( x + 10)[ x( x + 2) + 1( x + 2)]
= ( x + 10)( x + 2)( x + 1)

(iv) Let p( y ) = 2 y + y − 2 y − 1
3 2

By the factor theorem we know that (y-a) is a factor of p(y) if p(a) = 0.

We shall find a factor of p(y) by using some trial value of y, say y = 1.
p(1) = 2(1)3 + (1)2 − 2(1) − 1
= 2 +1− 2 −1
=0
Since the remainder of p(1) = 0 , by factor theorem we can say y-1 is a factor of
p( y ) = 2 y 3 + y 2 − 2 y − 1

Now dividing p(y) by y-1 using long division,

2 y2 + 3y +1
y − 1 2 y3 + y 2 − 2 y − 1
2 y3 − 2 y 2
3y2 − 2 y
3y2 − 3y
y −1
y −1
0
 2 y + y − 2 y − 1 = ( y − 1)(2 y + 3 y + 1)
3 2 2
Now taking 2 y 2 + 3 y + 1, find 2 numbers p, q such that:
i. p + q = co-efficient of y2 y
ii. pq = co-efficient of and the constant term.
p + q = 3 (co-efficient of y)
pq = 2  1 = 2 (co-efficient of y 2 and the constant term.)

By trial and error method, we get p = 2, q = 1.

Now splitting the middle term of the given polynomial,

2 y2 + 3y + 1 = 2 y2 + 2 y + y + 1
= 2 y( y + 1) + 1( y + 1)
= (2 y + 1)( y + 1)
 2 y + y − 2 y − 1 = ( y − 1)(2 y + 1)( y + 1)
3 2