Polynomials & cubic equations
Basics
Definition of a polynomial:
The power of each term in a polynomial must be a non-negative integer.
- $ 2x^3 + x - 5 $ is a polynomial.
- $ 4x^4 - x^3 + 2x - x^{0.5}$ is not a polynomial due to the term $ x^{0.5}$.
Degree of a polynomial:
The degree of a polynomial in $x$ is the highest power of $x$.
- The degree of $2x^4 + x - 5$ is $ \phantom{.} 4$.
- The degree of $(x - 3)(ax^2 - 3x + b) + x$ is $ \phantom{.} 3 $.
Long division:
$ \text{Polynomial} = $ $ \text{Divisor} \times \text{Quotient} + \text{Remainder} $
Note:
- The degree of the polynomial is equal to the sum of degree of divisor and quotient
- The degree of the remainder is less than the degree of the divisor
Example
Divide the polynomial $3x^3 - x^2 + 3$ by $x^2 - 1$.
Theorems
Factor theorem:
If the polynomial $f(x)$ has a linear factor $x + a$, then $f(-a)$ = $ \phantom{.} 0 $
Example
Show that $x + 1$ is a factor of the polynomial $x^3 - 2x^2 + 3x + 6$.
Remainder theorem:
If $x + a$ is not a factor of the polynomial $f(x)$, then when $f(x)$ is divided by $x + a$, remainder = $ f(-a) $
Example
Find the remainder obtained when $x^3 - 2x^2 - x + 7$ is divided by $2x - 1$.
Factorise cubic polynomials
Sum of cubes & difference of cubes:
$ a^3 + b^3 = $ $ (a + b)(a^2 - ab + b^2) $
$ a^3 - b^3 = $ $ (a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2) $
Factorise cubic polynomial by long division:
Steps:
- If factor is not provided by the question, find a factor of the polynomial by guess-and-check (or by calculator)
- Divide polynomial by factor
- Express result in the form Polynomial = Divisor × Quotient and further factorise (if possible)
Example
Factorise the cubic polynomial $x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6$.
Factorise cubic polynomial by comparing coefficients:
Steps:
- If factor is not provided by the question, find a factor of the polynomial by guess-and-check (or by calculator)
- Form an identity in the form Polynomial = Divisor × Quotient
- Solve for the unknown(s)
Example
Factorise the cubic polynomial $x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6$.
Questions
Find the value of unknown constant(s)
1. The function $f(x)$ is defined by $f(x) = x^3 + ax^2 + bx + 12$ for all real values of $x$. Given that $x + 3$ is a factor of $f(x)$ and that when $f(x)$ is divided by $x - 1$ the remainder is $36$, find the value of each of the constants $a$ and $b$.
(from think! A Maths Workbook Worksheet 4B)
Answer: $ a = 7, b = 16 $
2. The function $f$ is defined by $f(x) = (2p + 1)x^2 + px + 2p^2$, where $p$ is a constant. Find the value of $p$ when $f(x)$ has a factor of $x + 2$ but not $x - 1$.
(from A Maths 360 2nd edition Ex 4.2)
Answer: $ p = -2 $
Factorise cubic polynomial
3. Factorise the expression $54x^3 - 2y^6$ completely.
Answer: $ 2(3x - y^2)(9x^2 + 3xy^2 + y^4) $
Solve cubic equation
4. Solve the equation $x^3 + x + 1 = 3x^2$, leaving your non-integer roots in the form $a \pm \sqrt{b}$, where $a$ and $b$ are integers.
Answer: $ x = 1, 1 \pm \sqrt{2} $
5. Show that the equation $2x^3 - 5x^2 + 7x + 5 = 0$ only has one real root.
6(a) Solve the equation $x^3 + 2x^2 - 4x - 8 = 0$.
Answer: $ x = 2 \text{ or } - 2 $
6(b) Using your answers to (a), solve the following equations
6(b)(i) $x^6 + 2x^4 - 4x^2 - 8 = 0$
Answer: $ x = \pm \sqrt{2} $
6(b)(ii) $ (x + 1)^3 + 2(x + 1)^2 - 4x - 12 = 0$
Answer: $ x = 1 \text{ or } - 3 $
6(b)(iii) $ - 8x^3 - 4x^2 + 2x + 1 = 0$
Answer: $ x = {1 \over 2} \text{ or } - {1 \over 2} $
Form polynomial using information provided
7. The roots of a cubic equation $f(x) = 0$ are $-1$, $3$ and $4$. Given that $f(x)$ leaves a remainder of $-48$ when it is divided by $x - 2$, find the remainder when $f(x)$ is divided by $x + 2$.
(from Think A Maths Workbook Worksheet 4C)
Answer: $ 240 $
8. The term containing the highest power of $x$ in the polynomial $f(x)$ is $2x^4$. Two of the roots of the equation $f(x) = 0$ are $1$ and $-2$. Given that $x^2 - 5x + 1$ is a quadratic factor of $f(x)$, find an expression for $f(x)$ in descending powers of $x$.
(from Think A Maths Workbook Worksheet 4C)
Answer: $ f(x) = 2x^4 - 8x^3 - 12x^2 + 22x - 4 $
Past year O level questions
| Year & paper | Comments |
|---|---|
| 2025 P1 Question 3 | Factorise polynomial by using a3 - b3 |
| 2025 P2 Question 4 | (a) Find the value of unknown constant(s) (like question 1) (b) Factorise cubic polynomial |
| 2024 P2 Question 6 | (a) Find the value of unknown constant(s) (b) Solve cubic equation, leaving answers in exact form |
| 2023 P2 Question 6a | Factorise cubic polynomial |
| 2022 P2 Question 2 | Find the value of unknown constant(s) |
| 2021 P1 Question 6 | (a) Remainder theorem (b) Factorise cubic polynomial |
| 2021 P2 Question 2 | Solve cubic equation |
| 4049 Specimen P1 Question 10 | (a) Factor theorem & remainder theorem (Form simultaneous equation) (b) Solve cubic equation |
| 2020 P1 Question 8 | (a) Find the value of unknown constant(s) (b) Solve cubic equation (leave answer in surd form) |
| 2019 P2 Question 3i | Factor theorem |
| 2018 P2 Question 8 | (i) Remainder theorem (ii) Factor theorem (iii) Solve cubic equation (iv) Solve equation using answer from iii (like Q6b) |
| 2016 P2 Question 8 | (i) Factorise cubic polynomial (ii) Solve cubic equation |
| 2015 P2 Question 8 | (i) Remainder theorem (ii) Factorise cubic polynomial |
| 2014 P2 Question 2 | (i) Remainder theorem (ii) Solve cubic equation |
| 2013 P2 Question 2 | (i) Find the value of unknown constant(s) (ii) Solve cubic equation |
| 2012 P2 Question 7 | (i) Find the value of unknown constant(s) (ii) Solve quartic equation |
| 2011 P2 Question 3 | (i) Find the value of unknown constant(s) (ii) Solve cubic equation (Leave answer in surd form) |
| 2010 P1 Question 1 | (i) Factor theorem (ii) Remainder theorem |
| 2009 P1 Question 1 | Find the value of unknown constant(s) |
| 2008 P2 Question 5 | Form polynomial (Link - Subscription required) |
| 2007 P1 Question 4 | (i) Factor theorem (ii) Solve cubic equation (Leave answer in surd form) |
| 2006 P1 Question 10 | Form polynomial (Link - Subscription required) |
| 2005 P2 Question 9 | (i) Find the value of unknown constant(s) (ii) Solve cubic equation |
| 2004 P2 Question 7 | Remainder theorem (need to solve cubic equation) |
| 2003 P1 Question 3 | Find the value of unknown constant(s) |
| 2002 P2 Question 6 | Form polynomial |