Find constants with divisibility condition

A question is this type if and only if you must find constants given that a polynomial is divisible by (or has as a factor) a quadratic expression, not just linear factors.

8 questions · Standard +0.4

1.02j Manipulate polynomials: expanding, factorising, division, factor theorem
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CAIE P3 2002 June Q3
4 marks Standard +0.3
3 The polynomial \(x ^ { 4 } + 4 x ^ { 2 } + x + a\) is denoted by \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\). It is given that ( \(x ^ { 2 } + x + 2\) ) is a factor of \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\).
Find the value of \(a\) and the other quadratic factor of \(p ( x )\).
CAIE P3 2003 June Q4
7 marks Standard +0.3
4 The polynomial \(x ^ { 4 } - 2 x ^ { 3 } - 2 x ^ { 2 } + a\) is denoted by \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\). It is given that \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) is divisible by \(x ^ { 2 } - 4 x + 4\).
  1. Find the value of \(a\).
  2. When \(a\) has this value, show that \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) is never negative.
CAIE P3 2005 June Q5
8 marks Standard +0.8
5 The polynomial \(x ^ { 4 } + 5 x + a\) is denoted by \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\). It is given that \(x ^ { 2 } - x + 3\) is a factor of \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\).
  1. Find the value of \(a\) and factorise \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) completely.
  2. Hence state the number of real roots of the equation \(\mathrm { p } ( x ) = 0\), justifying your answer.
CAIE P3 2007 November Q2
4 marks Standard +0.3
2 The polynomial \(x ^ { 4 } + 3 x ^ { 2 } + a\), where \(a\) is a constant, is denoted by \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\). It is given that \(x ^ { 2 } + x + 2\) is a factor of \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\). Find the value of \(a\) and the other quadratic factor of \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\).
CAIE P3 2008 November Q5
6 marks Standard +0.3
5 The polynomial \(4 x ^ { 3 } - 4 x ^ { 2 } + 3 x + a\), where \(a\) is a constant, is denoted by \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\). It is given that \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) is divisible by \(2 x ^ { 2 } - 3 x + 3\).
  1. Find the value of \(a\).
  2. When \(a\) has this value, solve the inequality \(\mathrm { p } ( x ) < 0\), justifying your answer.
CAIE P3 2011 November Q3
6 marks Standard +0.3
3 The polynomial \(x ^ { 4 } + 3 x ^ { 3 } + a x + 3\) is denoted by \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\). It is given that \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) is divisible by \(x ^ { 2 } - x + 1\).
  1. Find the value of \(a\).
  2. When \(a\) has this value, find the real roots of the equation \(\mathrm { p } ( x ) = 0\).
CAIE P3 2016 November Q4
7 marks Standard +0.3
4 The polynomial \(4 x ^ { 4 } + a x ^ { 2 } + 11 x + b\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants, is denoted by \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\). It is given that \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) is divisible by \(x ^ { 2 } - x + 2\).
  1. Find the values of \(a\) and \(b\).
  2. When \(a\) and \(b\) have these values, find the real roots of the equation \(\mathrm { p } ( x ) = 0\).
CAIE P3 2023 March Q3
5 marks Standard +0.3
3 The polynomial \(2 x ^ { 4 } + a x ^ { 3 } + b x - 1\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants, is denoted by \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\). When \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) is divided by \(x ^ { 2 } - x + 1\) the remainder is \(3 x + 2\). Find the values of \(a\) and \(b\).