Show equation reduces to polynomial

A question is this type if and only if you must prove that a given equation (often involving logarithms or other functions) can be rearranged into a specific polynomial equation.

9 questions · Standard +0.2

1.02j Manipulate polynomials: expanding, factorising, division, factor theorem
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CAIE P3 2014 June Q6
8 marks Moderate -0.3
6 It is given that \(2 \ln ( 4 x - 5 ) + \ln ( x + 1 ) = 3 \ln 3\).
  1. Show that \(16 x ^ { 3 } - 24 x ^ { 2 } - 15 x - 2 = 0\).
  2. By first using the factor theorem, factorise \(16 x ^ { 3 } - 24 x ^ { 2 } - 15 x - 2\) completely.
  3. Hence solve the equation \(2 \ln ( 4 x - 5 ) + \ln ( x + 1 ) = 3 \ln 3\).
CAIE P2 2018 November Q7
10 marks Standard +0.3
7
  1. Use the factor theorem to show that ( \(2 x + 3\) ) is a factor of $$8 x ^ { 3 } + 4 x ^ { 2 } - 10 x + 3$$
  2. Show that the equation \(2 \cos 2 \theta = \frac { 6 \cos \theta - 5 } { 2 \cos \theta + 1 }\) can be expressed as $$8 \cos ^ { 3 } \theta + 4 \cos ^ { 2 } \theta - 10 \cos \theta + 3 = 0 .$$
  3. Solve the equation \(2 \cos 2 \theta = \frac { 6 \cos \theta - 5 } { 2 \cos \theta + 1 }\) for \(0 ^ { \circ } < \theta < 360 ^ { \circ }\).
    If you use the following lined page to complete the answer(s) to any question(s), the question number(s) must be clearly shown.
Edexcel C2 Specimen Q7
12 marks Standard +0.3
7. (a) Use the factor theorem to show that \(( x + 1 )\) is a factor of \(x ^ { 3 } - x ^ { 2 } - 10 x - 8\).
(b) Find all the solutions of the equation \(x ^ { 3 } - x ^ { 2 } - 10 x - 8 = 0\).
(c) Prove that the value of \(x\) that satisfies $$2 \log _ { 2 } x + \log _ { 2 } ( x - 1 ) = 1 + \log _ { 2 } ( 5 x + 4 )$$ is a solution of the equation $$x ^ { 3 } - x ^ { 2 } - 10 x - 8 = 0$$ (d) State, with a reason, the value of \(x\) that satisfies equation (I).
OCR C2 2007 June Q9
14 marks Standard +0.3
9 The polynomial \(f ( x )\) is given by $$f ( x ) = x ^ { 3 } + 6 x ^ { 2 } + x - 4 .$$
  1. (a) Show that ( \(\mathrm { x } + 1\) ) is a factor of \(\mathrm { f } ( \mathrm { x } )\).
    (b) Hence find the exact roots of the equation \(f ( x ) = 0\).
  2. (a) Show that the equation $$2 \log _ { 2 } ( x + 3 ) + \log _ { 2 } x - \log _ { 2 } ( 4 x + 2 ) = 1$$ can be written in the form \(f ( x ) = 0\).
    (b) Explain why the equation $$2 \log _ { 2 } ( x + 3 ) + \log _ { 2 } x - \log _ { 2 } ( 4 x + 2 ) = 1$$ has only one real root and state the exact value of this root.
Edexcel Paper 1 Specimen Q5
10 marks Standard +0.3
  1. \(\mathrm { f } ( x ) = x ^ { 3 } + a x ^ { 2 } - a x + 48\), where \(a\) is a constant
Given that \(\mathrm { f } ( - 6 ) = 0\)
    1. show that \(a = 4\)
    2. express \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) as a product of two algebraic factors. Given that \(2 \log _ { 2 } ( x + 2 ) + \log _ { 2 } x - \log _ { 2 } ( x - 6 ) = 3\)
  1. show that \(x ^ { 3 } + 4 x ^ { 2 } - 4 x + 48 = 0\)
  2. hence explain why $$2 \log _ { 2 } ( x + 2 ) + \log _ { 2 } x - \log _ { 2 } ( x - 6 ) = 3$$ has no real roots.
AQA C4 2012 January Q6
10 marks Standard +0.3
6
  1. Use the Factor Theorem to show that \(4 x - 3\) is a factor of $$16 x ^ { 3 } + 11 x - 15$$
  2. Given that \(x = \cos \theta\), show that the equation $$27 \cos \theta \cos 2 \theta + 19 \sin \theta \sin 2 \theta - 15 = 0$$ can be written in the form $$16 x ^ { 3 } + 11 x - 15 = 0$$
  3. Hence show that the only solutions of the equation $$27 \cos \theta \cos 2 \theta + 19 \sin \theta \sin 2 \theta - 15 = 0$$ are given by \(\cos \theta = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\).
OCR MEI C1 2013 June Q12
12 marks Standard +0.3
\includegraphics{figure_12} Fig. 12 shows the graph of \(y = \frac{1}{x - 2}\).
  1. Draw accurately the graph of \(y = 2x + 3\) on the copy of Fig. 12 and use it to estimate the coordinates of the points of intersection of \(y = \frac{1}{x - 2}\) and \(y = 2x + 3\). [3]
  2. Show algebraically that the \(x\)-coordinates of the points of intersection of \(y = \frac{1}{x - 2}\) and \(y = 2x + 3\) satisfy the equation \(2x^2 - x - 7 = 0\). Hence find the exact values of the \(x\)-coordinates of the points of intersection. [5]
  3. Find the quadratic equation satisfied by the \(x\)-coordinates of the points of intersection of \(y = \frac{1}{x - 2}\) and \(y = -x + k\). Hence find the exact values of \(k\) for which \(y = -x + k\) is a tangent to \(y = \frac{1}{x - 2}\). [4]
SPS SPS FM 2024 October Q5
9 marks Standard +0.3
In this question you must show detailed reasoning. The polynomial \(f(x)\) is given by $$f(x) = x^3 + 6x^2 + x - 4.$$
    1. Show that \((x + 1)\) is a factor of \(f(x)\). [1]
    2. Hence find the exact roots of the equation \(f(x) = 0\). [4]
    1. Show that the equation $$2\log_2(x + 3) + \log_2 x - \log_2(4x + 2) = 1$$ can be written in the form \(f(x) = 0\). [3]
    2. Explain why the equation $$2\log_2(x + 3) + \log_2 x - \log_2(4x + 2) = 1$$ has only one real root and state the exact value of this root. [1]
SPS SPS SM 2024 October Q9
9 marks Moderate -0.3
In this question you must show detailed reasoning. The polynomial f(x) is given by $$f(x) = x^3 + 6x^2 + x - 4.$$
    1. Show that \((x + 1)\) is a factor of f(x). [1]
    2. Hence find the exact roots of the equation f(x) = 0. [4]
    1. Show that the equation $$2\log_2(x + 3) + \log_2 x - \log_2(4x + 2) = 1$$ can be written in the form f(x) = 0. [3]
    2. Explain why the equation $$2\log_2(x + 3) + \log_2 x - \log_2(4x + 2) = 1$$ has only one real root and state the exact value of this root. [1]