Finish Line & Beyond

POLYNOMIALS
Important Points

1. A polynomial p(x) in one variable x is an algebraic expression in x of the form

p(x) = anxn+an-1xn-1+…………………a2x2+a1x1+a0x0

where a0, a1, a2 ……… an are constants and an ≠ 0.

a0, a1, a2 ……… an are respectively the coefficients of x0, x1, x2, ……..xn and n is
called the degree of the polynomial. Each of anxn, an-1xn-1, ……a0x0with an ≠ 0, is
called a term of the polynomial p(x).

2. A polynomial of one term is called a monomial.

3. A polynomial of two terms is called a binomial.
4. A polynomial of three terms is called a trinomial.
5. A polynomial of degree one is called a linear polynomial.
6. A polynomial of degree two is called a quadratic polynomial.
7. A polynomial of degree three is called a cubic polynomial.

8. A real number ‘a’ is a zero of a polynomial p(x) if p(a) = 0. In this case, a is also
called a root of the equation p(x) = 0.

9. Every linear polynomial in one variable has a unique zero, a non-zero constant
polynomial has no zero, and every real number is a zero of the zero polynomial.

10. Remainder Theorem: If p(x) is any polynomial of degree greater than or equal
to 1 and p(x) is divided by the linear polynomial x – a, then the remainder is p(a).

Proof: Let p(x) be any polynomial with degree greater than or equal to 1. Suppose
that when p(x) is divided by x – a, the quotient is q(x) and the remainder is r(x),
i.e.,

p(x) = (x – a) q(x) + r(x)

Since the degree of x – a is 1 and the degree of r(x) is less than the degree of x – a,
the degree of r(x) = 0. This means that r(x) is a constant, say r.

So, for every value of x,

r(x) = r.

Therefore,
p(x) = (x – a) q(x) + r

In particular, if x = a, this equation gives us

p(a) = (a – a) q(a) + r = r,

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 Finish Line & Beyond

which proves the theorem.

Example 9: Find the remainder when x4 + x3 – 2x2 + x + 1 is divided by x – 1.

Solution: Here,
p(x) = x4 + x3 – 2x2 + x + 1,
and the zero of x – 1 is 1.

So, p(1) = (1)4 + (1)3 – 2(1)2 + 1 + 1= 2

So, by the Remainder Theorem, 2 is the remainder when x4 + x3 – 2x2 + x + 1 is

divided by x – 1.

11. Factor Theorem: x – a is a factor of the polynomial p(x), if p(a) = 0. Also, if x

–a is a factor of p(x), then p(a) = 0.

Example: Examine whether x + 2 is a factor of x3 + 3x2 + 5x + 6 and of 2x + 4.

Solution: The zero of x + 2 is –2.
Let p(x) = x3 + 3x2 + 5x + 6
and s(x) = 2x + 4
Then,
p(–2) = (–2)3 + 3(–2)2 + 5(–2) + 6
= –8 + 12 – 10 + 6
=0
So, by the Factor Theorem,
x + 2 is a factor of x3 + 3x2 + 5x + 6

Again,
s(–2) = 2(–2) + 4 = 0
So, x + 2 is a factor of 2x + 4.

Important Formulae

(x + y)2 = x2 + 2xy + y2
(x – y) 2 = x2 – 2xy + y2
x2 – y2 = (x + y) (x – y)

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

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

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1. Use suitable identities to find the following products:

(i) (x + 4) (x + 10)

Solution: (x+4)(x+10)
= x2+10x+4x+4 × 10
= x2+14x+40

(ii) (x + 8) (x – 10)

Solution: x2-10x+8x-80
= x2-2x-80

(iii) (3x + 4) (3x – 5)

Solution: 9x2-15x+12x-20
= 9x2-3x-20
3 3
(iv) (y2 + ) (y2- )
2 2

Solution: (a+b)(a-b) = a2-b2

3
Suppose, y2=a and =b
2
Hence, the given equation can be written as follows:
9
y4 -
4

(v) (3 – 2x) (3 + 2x)

Solution: This can be solved as the earlier question

(3-2x)(3+2x) = 9-4x2

2. Evaluate the following products without multiplying directly:

(i) 103 × 107

Solution: 103× 107

= (100+3)(100+7)
= 1002+7 × 100+3 × 100+7 × 3
= 10000+700+300+21
= 11021

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(ii) 95 × 96

Solution: 95 × 96
= (100-5)(100-4)
= 1002-400-500+20
= 10000-900+20
= 9120

(iii) 104 × 96

Solution: 104 × 96
= (100+4)(100-4)
= 1002-42
= 10000-16
= 9984

3. Factorise the following using appropriate identities:

(i) 9x2 + 6xy + y2

Solution: 9x2+6xy+y2
= 32x2+3xy+3xy+y2 …………………………… (1)
= 3x(3x+y)+y(3x+y)
= (3x+y)(3x+y)
= (3x+y)²
Alternate way of solving this problem:
Equation 1 gives a hint that this can be solved through following formula:
(a+b)² = a²+2ab+b²

(ii) 4y² – 4y + 1

Solution: 2²y²-2 × 2y+1²

= (2y-1)²
y²
(iii) x²-
100

Solution: As you know a²-b² = (a+b)(a-b)

y²
So, x²-
10²
y y
= (x+ ) (x- )
10 10

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4. Expand each of the following, using suitable identities:

(i) (x + 2y + 4z)²

Solution: As you know (x + y + z)2= x2 + y2 + z2 + 2xy + 2yz + 2zx

Using this formula in the given equation,

(x+2y+4z)²
= x²+4y²+16z²+4xy+16yz+8zx
(ii) (2x – y + z)²
Solution: (x-y+z)² = x²+y²+z²-2xy-2yz+2zx
So, (2x-y+z) ²
= 4x²+y²+z²-4xy-2yz+4zx

(iii) (–2x + 3y + 2z)²

Solution: (-2x+3y+2z)²
= 4x²+9y²+4z²-12xy+12yz-8zx
(iv) (3a – 7b – c)²
Solution: (x-y-z)²= x²+y²+z²-2xy-2yz-2zx
Hence, (3a-7b-c)²
= 9a²+49b²+c²-42ab-14bc-6ac
5. Factorise:
(i) 4x² + 9y² + 16z² + 12xy – 24yz – 16xz

Solution: It is clear that this can be solved using

(x+y-z)² = x²+y²+z²+2xy-2yz-2zx
Hence, 4x²+9y²+16z²+12xy-24yz-2zx
= (2x+3y-4z)²

(ii) 2x² + y² + 8z² – 2 2 xy + 4 2 yz – 8xz

Solution: using (x+y+z)²

The value of x= 2 x, y=y and z= 2 2 z
Hence, given equation can be written as follows:
( 2 x+y+2 2 z)²

6. Write the following cubes in expanded form:

(i) (2x + 1)³

Solution: As you know, (x + y)3 = x3 + y3 + 3xy(x + y)

Hence, (2x+1)³
= 8x³+1+6xy(2x+1)

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(ii) (2a – 3b)³

Solution: As you know, (x – y) 3 = x3 – y3 – 3xy(x – y)

Hence, (2a-3b)³ = 8a³-27y³-18ab(2a-3b)

3
(iii) ( x + 1 )³
2

Solution: Using the formula which was used in question 6-(i)

27 9 3
We get, x ³ + 1 + xy ( x + y )
8 2 2
7. Evaluate the following:

(i) 99³

Solution: 99³ can be written as (100-1)³

(100-1)³ can be solved through using (x-y)³
Now, (100-1)³= 100³-1³-300(100-1)
= 1000000-1-300(99)
= 1000000-1-29700
= 970299

(ii) 102³

Solution: 102³ can be written as (100+2)³ and can be solved using (x+y)³

Hence, (100+2) ³
= 100³+2³+600(100+2)
= 1000000+8+61200
= 1061208

8. Factorise each of the following:

(i) 8a³ + b³ + 12a²b + 6ab²

Solution:
= 8a³+b³+6ab(a+b)
=(2a+b)³

(ii) 8a³ – b³ – 12a²b + 6ab²

Solution:
8a³-b³-12a²b+6ab²
=8a³-b³-6ab(a+b)
=(2a-b)³

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 Finish Line & Beyond

(iii) 27 – 125a³ – 135a + 225a²

Solution: 27 – 125a³ – 135a + 225a²

= 3³-5³a³-3³5a+3²5²a²
= 3³-5³a³-3²5a(3-5a)
if x=3 and y=5a
hence, (3-5a)³= 3³-5³a³-3²5a(3-5a)

(iv) 64a³ – 27b³ – 144a²b + 108ab²

Solution: 64a³ – 27b³ – 144a²b + 108ab²

= 4³a³-3³b³-3 × 4a3b(4a-3b)
= (4a-3b)³

Note: Try to identify the values of x and y by carefully analysing the first
two terms of the equations. This will give you exact clue to the final answer.

1 9 1
(v) 27p³- - p²+ p
216 2 4
Solution: 27p³ can be written as 3³p³
Hence, x= 3p
1 1³
And can be written as
216 6³
1
Hence, y=
6
1
So, the required answer will be (3p- )³
6
Note: This step is to help you develop the problem solving skills. In exam
situation you have to write all steps to get full marks.

9. Verify :
(i) x³ + y³ = (x + y) (x² – xy + y²)

Solution: RHS (x+y)(x²-xy+y²)

= x³-x²y+xy²+x²y-xy²+y³
=x³+y³ LHS proved

(ii) x³ – y³ = (x – y) (x² + xy + y²)

Solution: RHS (x – y) (x² + xy + y²)

= x³+x²y+xy²-x²y-xy²-y³
= x³-y³ LHS proved

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 Finish Line & Beyond

10. Factorise each of the following:

(i) 27y³ + 125z³

Solution: From the previous question you can recall

x³+y³=(x+y)(x²+xy+y²)
Hence, 3³y³+5³z³ can be written as follows: (27=3³ and 125=5³)
(3y+5z)(9y²+15yz+25z²

(ii) 64m³ – 343n³

Solution: As you know, x³-y³=(x-y)(x²+xy+y²)

Hence, 4³m³-7³n³ can be written as follows: (64=4³ and 343=7³)
(4m-7n)(16n²+28mn+49n²)

11. Factorise : 27x³ + y³ + z³ – 9xyz

Solution: As you know,

x3 + y3 + z3 – 3xyz = (x + y + z) (x2 + y2 + z2 – xy – yz – zx)
Hence, 27x³ + y³ + z³ – 9xyz
= (3x+y+z) (9x²+y²+z²-3xy-yz-3zx)

1
12. Verify that x³ + y³ + z³ – 3xyz = (x+y+z) [ (x-y)²+(y-z)²+(z-x)² ]
2
1
Solution: RHS (x+y+z) [ (x-y)²+(y-z)²+(z-x)² ]
2
1
= (x+y+z)(x²+y²-2xy+y²+z²-2yz+z²+x²-2zx)
2
1
= (x+y+z) (2x²+2y²+2z²-2xy-2yz-2zx)
2
=(x+y+z) (x²+y²+z²-xy-yz-zx)

Now, the RHS satisfies the condition as per following identity:

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

13. If x + y + z = 0, show that x³ + y³ + z³ = 3xyz.

Solution: As you know,

x3 + y3 + z3 – 3xyz = (x + y + z) (x2 + y2 + z2 – xy – yz – zx)
Now, as per question x+y+z=0,
Putting value of x+y+z=0 in the equation we get
x3 + y3 + z3 – 3xyz = 0 × (x2 + y2 + z2 – xy – yz – zx)
⇒ x3 + y3 + z3 – 3xyz = 0
⇒ x3 + y3 + z3 = 3xyz proved

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 Finish Line & Beyond

14. Without actually calculating the cubes, find the value of each of the following:
(i) (–12)³ + (7)³ + (5)³

Solution: As you know,

x3 + y3 + z3 – 3xyz = (x + y + z) (x2 + y2 + z2 – xy – yz – zx)
⇒ x3 + y3 + z3 =(x + y + z) (x2 + y2 + z2 – xy – yz – zx)+3xyz
Hence, (–12)³ + (7)³ + (5)³
[ ]
=(-12+7+5) -12²+7²+5²-(-12 × 7)-(7 × 5)-(-12 × 5) +3(-12 × 7 × 5)
[
=0 × -12²+7²+5²-(-12 × 7)-(7 × 5)-(-12 × 5) ] -1260
= 0-1260 = -1260 answer

(ii) (28)³ + (–15)³ + (–13)³

Solution: This question can be solved in the same way as above.

Here, value of (x+y+z) = (28-15-13) = 0
Hence, you need to calculate the value of 3xyz
3 × 28 × -15 × -13 = 16380
Hence, the required answer = -16380
But, while practicing at home try following every step for better learning.

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