SPS SPS FM 2024 October — Question 4 6 marks

Exam BoardSPS
ModuleSPS FM (SPS FM)
Year2024
SessionOctober
Marks6
TopicFactor & Remainder Theorem
TypeFactorise polynomial completely
DifficultyChallenging +1.2 This question requires recognizing binomial coefficients (Pascal's triangle row 8) to factor as x(x+1)^8, then finding the straightforward roots x=0 and x=-1. While pattern recognition is needed, the coefficients are given explicitly making this easier than deriving them, and the factorization leads directly to the answer without complex algebraic manipulation.
Spec1.02f Solve quadratic equations: including in a function of unknown1.02j Manipulate polynomials: expanding, factorising, division, factor theorem1.04a Binomial expansion: (a+b)^n for positive integer n

4. The polynomial \(P ( x )\) is defined as follows: \(P ( x ) \equiv x ^ { 8 } + 8 x ^ { 7 } + 28 x ^ { 6 } + 56 x ^ { 5 } + 70 x ^ { 4 } + 56 x ^ { 3 } + 28 x ^ { 2 } + 8 x , x \in \mathbb { R }\) By first factorising \(P ( x )\) find all of its real roots.
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4. The polynomial $P ( x )$ is defined as follows:\\
$P ( x ) \equiv x ^ { 8 } + 8 x ^ { 7 } + 28 x ^ { 6 } + 56 x ^ { 5 } + 70 x ^ { 4 } + 56 x ^ { 3 } + 28 x ^ { 2 } + 8 x , x \in \mathbb { R }$\\
By first factorising $P ( x )$ find all of its real roots.\\[0pt]
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\hfill \mbox{\textit{SPS SPS FM 2024 Q4 [6]}}