Exercise 2.

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

factor:
(i) 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1

T IO S
(ii) 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1

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(iii) 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1
NO A D
CO N
(iv) 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − (2 + √2) x + √2
A

PY
Ans.:
DO U A
T
To check for (x + 1) as a factor of given polynomials by remainder
ED PR

theorem, we check for p(-1)=0.

(i) If (x + 1) is a factor of p (x) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1, 𝑝(−1)𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜
C
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Here, p (x) = x3 + x2 + x + 1
p (-1) = (-1)3 + (-1)2 + (-1) + 1
= -1 + 1 – 1 + 1 = 0
Therefore, x + 1 is a factor of this polynomial.

(ii) If (x + 1) is a factor of p (x) = x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1, p (-1) must be

zero
Here, p (x) = x4+ x3 + x2 + x + 1
p (-1) = (-1)4 + (-1)3 + (-1)2 + (-1) + 1
=1-1+1–1+1≠0
Therefore, x + 1 is not a factor of this polynomial
(iii) If (x + 1) is a factor of p (x) = x4 + 3x3 + 3x2 + x + 1, p (-1) must
be zero
Here, p (x) = x4+ 3x3 + 3x2 + x + 1
p (-1) = (-1)4 + 3(-1)3 + 3(-1)2 + (-1) + 1
=1-3+3–1+1≠0
Therefore, x + 1 is not a factor of this polynomial

(iv) If (x + 1) is a factor of polynomial

T IO S
p (x) = x3 – x2 – (2 + √2)x + √2, p(-1) must be zero

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p (-1) = (-1)3 – (-1)2 – (2 + √2) (-1) + √2
NO A D
= -1 – 1 + 2 + √2 + √2

CO N
A
= 2√2
As, p (-1) ≠ 0

PY
DO U A

Therefore, x + 1 is not a factor of this polynomial.

T
ED PR

Question: 2. Use the Factor Theorem to determine whether g(x) is a

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factor of p(x)
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in each of the following cases:

(i) p(x) = 2𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 1, 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 + 1
(ii) p(x) = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 1, 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 + 2
(iii) p(x) = 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + x +6, 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 − 3
Ans.:

(i) If g (x) = x + 1 is a factor of given polynomial p (x), p (-1) must be

 zero
p (x) = 2x3 + x2 – 2x – 1
p (-1) = 2 (-1)3 + (-1)2 – 2 (-1) – 1
= 2 (-1) + 1 + 2 – 1 = 0
Hence, g (x) = x + 1 is a factor of given polynomial

T IO S
(ii) If g (x) = x + 2 is a factor of given polynomial p (x), p (-2) must be

I
NO A D
zero

CO N
A
p (x) = x3 + 3x2 + 3x + 1

PY
p (-2) = (-2)3 + 3(-2)2 + 3 (-2) + 1
DO U A

= -8 + 12 - 6 + 1 = -1
T
ED PR

As, p (-2) ≠ 0
Hence, g (x) = x + 2 is not a factor of given polynomial.
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(iii). If g (x) = x – 3 is a factor of given polynomial p (x), p (3) must be

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zero
p (x) = x3 – 4x2 + x + 6
p (3) = (3)3 – 4(3)2 + 3 + 6
= 27 – 36 + 9 = 0
Therefore, g(x) = x – 3 is a factor of the given polynomial.

Question: 3 Find the value of k, if is a factor of p(x) in each of the

following cases:
(i) p (x) = 𝑥 2 + x + k
(ii) p(x) = 2𝑥 2 + kx + √2
(iii) p(x) = 𝑘𝑥 2 − √2𝑥 +1
(iv) p(x) = 𝑘𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 𝑘
Ans.:

If g(x) is a factor of another polynomial p(x) then, the points at which

g(x) = 0, p(x) will also be equal to 0
for example: Let p(x) = x2 - 1 and g(x) = x + 1
By remainder theorem.Now if x + 1 is a factor of p(x), then x + 1 = 0, x
= -1 at this value p(x) = 0Thus, p(- 1) = 0(i) If x – 1 is a factor of
polynomial p (x) = x2 + x + k, then
x - 1 = 0x = 1 Therefore, p(1) = 0

T IO S I
(1)2 + 1+ k = 0
2+k=0 NO A D
CO N
A
k = -2

PY
Therefore, value of k is -2
DO U A
T
ED PR

(ii) If x – 1 is a factor of polynomial p (x) = 2x2 + kx +√2 , then

p (1) = 0
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2(1)2 + k (1) + √2 = 0
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2+k+ =0
k = -2 - √2
= - (2 + √2)
Therefore, value of k is – (2 +√2 )

(iii) If x – 1 is a factor of given polynomial p(x) = kx2 - x + 1, then

p (1) = 0
k (1)2 - (1) + 1 = 0
k - √2 + 1 = 0
k= -1
Therefore, value of k is √2 – 1
(iv) If x – 1 is a factor of the given polynomial p(x) = kx2 – 3x + k, then
p (1) = 0

k(1)2 + 3(1) + k = 0
k–3+k=0
2k – 3 = 0
3
k=
2
3
Therefore, value of k is .
2

T IO S I
Question: 4 Factorize:
NO A D
CO N
(i) 12𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 1
A

PY
(ii) 2𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 3
DO U A

(iii) 6𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 6
T
ED PR

(iv) 3𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 4
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Ans.:
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For quadratic polynomial. We factorize the middle term such that the
product of the terms is equal to the product of the last term and
coefficient of x2 and sum or difference is equal to the middle term.
(i) 12x2 - 7x + 1
For the equation given above:7 is to be factorized such that, the product
of two terms is 12 x 1 = 12 and the sum is equal to 7This can be done by
3 and 4as 3 x 4 = 12and 3 + 4 = 7 Therefore,
12x2 - 7x + 1
= 12x2 – 4x – 3x + 1
= 4x (3x – 1) – 1 (3x – 1)
= (3x – 1) (4x – 1)
(ii) 2x2 + 7x + 3
For the equation given above:7 is to be factorized such that, the product
of two terms is 3 x 2 = 6 and the sum is equal to 7This can be done by 6
and 1as 6 x 1 = 6and 6 + 1 = 7
Therefore,2x2 + 7x + 3 = 2x2 + 6x + x + 3
= 2x (x + 3) + 1 (x + 3)
= (x + 3) (2x + 1)

T IO S I
(iii) 6x2 + 5x – 6
NO A D
CO N
A
For the equation given above:

PY
7 is to be factorized such that, the product of two terms is 6 x 6 = 36 and
DO U A

the difference is equal to 5This can be done by 9 and 4 as 9 x 4 = 36and

T
ED PR

9 - 4 = 5 Therefore,
6x2 + 5x – 6 = 6x2 + 9x – 4x – 6
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= 3x (2x + 3) – 2 (2x + 3)
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= (2x + 3) (3x – 2)

(iv) 3x2 - x - 4
For the equation given above:7 is to be factorized such that, the product
of two terms is 4 x 3 = 12 and the difference = 1This can be done by 4
and 3as 4 x 3 = 12and 4 - 3 = 1Therefore,
3x2 - x - 4= 3x2 – 4x + 3x – 4
= (3x-4) (x+1)
= x (3x – 4) + 1 (3x – 4)
= (3x – 4) (x + 1)
Question: 5 Factorize:
(i) x3 -2x2 – x + 2
(ii) x3 -3x2 -9x -5
(iii) x3 + 13x2 + 32x +20
(iv) 2𝑦 3 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 − 1
Ans.;
(i) Let p(x) = x3 – 2x2 – x + 2

T IO S I
By trial method, we find that
NO A D
CO N
p (-1) = (-1)3 – 2 (-1)2 – (-1) + 2
A
= -1 – 2 + 1 + 2 = 0

PY
DO U A
Therefore, x= -1 satisfies the equation and (x + 1) is the factor of p (x)
T
ED PR

Now, we divide p(x) = x3 - 2x - x + 2 by (x + 1)

𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2
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𝑥 + 1√𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2
𝑥3 + 𝑥2
- -
- 3𝑥 2 – x + 2
- 3𝑥 2 – 3x
+ +
2x + 2
2x + 2
- -
0
Now, Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder
p (x) = (x + 1) (x2 – 3x + 2)
= (x + 1) (x2 – x – 2x + 2)
= (x + 1) {x (x – 1) – 2 (x – 1)}
= (x + 1) (x – 1) (x - 2)
(ii) Let p (x) = x3 – 3x2 – 9x – 5
By trial method,

T IO S
p (5) = (5)3 – 3(5)2 – 9 (5) – 5

I
NO A D
CO N
= 125 – 75 – 45 – 5 = 0
A
Therefore, (x – 5) is the factor of p (x)

PY
DO U A
Now, we divide p(x) = x3 - 3x2 - 9x - 5 by (x - 5)
T
ED PR

𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1
x+1√𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 − 5
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𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2
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_ +
2𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 − 5
2𝑥 2 − 10𝑥
_ +
x - 5
x - 5
_ +
0

Now, Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder

p(x) = (x – 5) (x2 + 2x + 1)
= (x – 5) (x2 + x + x + 1)
= (x – 5) {x (x + 1) + 1 (x + 1)}
= (x – 5) (x + 1) (x + 1)
(iii) Let p (x) = x3 + 13x2 + 32x + 20
By trial method,
p (-1) = (-1)3 + 13 (-1)2 + 32 (-1) + 20
= -1 + 13 – 32 + 20 = 0
Therefore, x = -1 satisfies the equation p(x) = 0 so, (x + 1) is the factor

T IO S
of p (x)

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NO A D
Now we divide p (x) = x3 + 13x2 + 32x + 20 by (x + 1)

CO N
A
𝑥 2 + 12x + 20

PY
DO U A
𝑥 + 1√𝑥 3 + 13𝑥 2 + 32𝑥 + 20
T
𝑥3 + 𝑥2
ED PR

- -
12𝑥 2 + 32x +20
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12𝑥 2 + 12x
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- -
20x + 20
20x + 20
- -
0

Now, Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder

p(x) = (x + 1) (x2 + 12x + 20)
= (x + 1) (x2 + 2x + 10x + 20)
= (x + 1) {x (x + 2) + 10 (x + 2)}
= (x + 1) (x + 2) (x + 10)
(iv) Let, p(y) = 2y3 + y2 – 2y – 1
By trial method,
p (1) = 2 (1)3 + (1)2 – 2 (1) – 1
= 2 + 1 -1 -1 = 0
Therefore, y = 1 satisfies the equation p(y) = 0 so, (y – 1) is a factor of
p(y)
Now, we divide p(y) = 2y3 + y2 – 2y – 1 by (y - 1)

T IO S
2 𝑦 2 + 3𝑦 + 1

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NO A D 𝑦 − 1√ 2𝑦 3 + 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 − 1

CO N
A
2𝑦 3 − 2𝑦 2

PY
- +
DO U A
T
3𝑦 2 – 2y -1
ED PR

3𝑦 2 – 3y
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- +
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y -1
y–1
- +
0

Now, Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder

p(y) = (y – 1) (2y2 - 3y + 1)
= (y – 1) (2y2 - 2y - y + 1)
= (y – 1) {2y (y - 1) - 1 (y - 1)}
= (y – 1) (2y - 1) (y - 1)