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polynomials

The document provides an overview of polynomials, defining them as expressions with non-negative integer powers and outlining their general form. It categorizes polynomials by degree, explains the concepts of zeroes, the Remainder Theorem, and the Factor Theorem, and discusses the relationship between zeroes and coefficients. Additionally, it includes examples and exercises related to quadratic polynomials and their properties.

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1 views

polynomials

The document provides an overview of polynomials, defining them as expressions with non-negative integer powers and outlining their general form. It categorizes polynomials by degree, explains the concepts of zeroes, the Remainder Theorem, and the Factor Theorem, and discusses the relationship between zeroes and coefficients. Additionally, it includes examples and exercises related to quadratic polynomials and their properties.

Uploaded by

r13ekha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter Summary: Polynomials

A polynomial is an expression that involves only non-negative integer powers of a variable. The
general form of a polynomial is:

f(x)=anxn+an−1xn−1+⋯+a1x+a0f(x) = a_nx^n + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + \dots + a_1x + a_0

Where:

 an,an−1,…,a1,a0a_n, a_{n-1}, \dots, a_1, a_0 are constants.


 nn is a non-negative integer and represents the degree of the polynomial.
 The highest power of xx in the polynomial expression is the degree of the polynomial.

Types of Polynomials

Polynomials can be classified based on their degree:

 Linear Polynomial: A polynomial of degree 1, e.g., f(x)=ax+bf(x) = ax + b.


 Quadratic Polynomial: A polynomial of degree 2, e.g., f(x)=ax2+bx+cf(x) = ax^2 + bx
+ c.
 Cubic Polynomial: A polynomial of degree 3, e.g., f(x)=ax3+bx2+cx+df(x) = ax^3 +
bx^2 + cx + d.
 Higher-Degree Polynomials: Polynomials with degree greater than 3.

Zeroes of a Polynomial

The zeroes of a polynomial are the values of xx that make the polynomial equal to zero, i.e., the
points where the graph of the polynomial crosses the x-axis. These are important because the
degree of a polynomial also indicates the maximum number of real zeroes a polynomial can
have. For example, a quadratic polynomial (degree 2) can have at most two real zeroes.

Remainder Theorem

The Remainder Theorem states that when a polynomial f(x)f(x) is divided by a linear divisor of
the form (x−k)(x - k), the remainder of the division is simply f(k)f(k). This theorem is helpful in
determining remainders and simplifying the division of polynomials.

Factor Theorem

The Factor Theorem states that if (x−k)(x - k) is a factor of the polynomial f(x)f(x), then
f(k)=0f(k) = 0. This theorem connects the concept of zeroes with factors of a polynomial,
allowing us to factorize polynomials and find their zeroes.

Relationship Between Zeroes and Coefficients


For any polynomial f(x)=ax2+bx+cf(x) = ax^2 + bx + c of degree 2, the sum and product of its
zeroes α\alpha and β\beta can be expressed as:

 Sum of zeroes: α+β=−ba\alpha + \beta = -\frac{b}{a}


 Product of zeroes: α×β=ca\alpha \times \beta = \frac{c}{a}

This relationship holds for polynomials of any degree, where the sum and product of zeroes are
related to the coefficients of the polynomial.

Degree of a Polynomial

The degree of a polynomial is the highest exponent of xx in the polynomial expression. The
degree of the polynomial is important because it tells us how many zeroes the polynomial can
have. A polynomial of degree nn can have at most nn real zeroes, though the actual number of
real zeroes can be fewer (it may have complex zeroes instead).

For example, if a polynomial cuts the y-axis at two points and the x-axis at zero points, we can
deduce that the polynomial is of degree 2 because a degree 2 polynomial can have two real
zeroes or complex conjugate zeroes. If it does not intersect the x-axis, it must have complex
roots.

1. If α and β are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial f(x) = x² - 5x + 6, then what is the
value of α + β?
a) 5
b) -5
c) 6
d) -6
2. Which of the following is a quadratic polynomial?
a) x³ + 2x + 1
b) 3x² - x + 4
c) 5x + 7
d) 2x⁴ - 3x² + 1
3. The number of zeroes of the polynomial p(x) = (x - 2)² is:
a) 0
b) 1
c) 2
d) Infinite
4. The value of a polynomial f(x) = 2x² - 3x + 1 at x = 2 is:
a) 3
b) 5
c) 7
d) 1
5. If a polynomial p(x) has x - 3 as a factor, then p(3) is:
a) 3
b) 0
c) Not defined
d) 1

(2-3 marks each)

1. Write the standard form of a quadratic polynomial whose sum and product of zeroes are 4
and -5 respectively.
2. If (x - 1) and (x + 2) are factors of a quadratic polynomial, find the polynomial.
3. Find the zeroes of the polynomial x² + 7x + 12 and verify the relationship between zeroes
and coefficients.
4. Find a quadratic polynomial whose zeroes are -3 and 4.
5. Determine whether (x - 2) is a factor of the polynomial x² - 3x + 2.

(4 marks each)

1. If the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial x² + (a + 1)x + b are 2 and -3, find the values of
a and b. Also, form the polynomial.
2. Find the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial 2x² - 5x + 3 and verify the relationship
between zeroes and coefficients.
3. A polynomial f(x) leaves remainder 10 when divided by (x - 1), and remainder 5 when
divided by (x - 2). Find the remainder when it is divided by (x - 1)(x - 2).

5 marks)

Case Study:
A student observed that the height of a ball thrown upwards follows the path of a quadratic
polynomial. He models the height h (in meters) after t seconds as h(t) = -4t² + 8t + 3.

1. What kind of polynomial is h(t)?


2. Find the height of the ball after 1 second.
3. After how many seconds will the ball reach maximum height?
4. What is the maximum height reached by the ball?

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