Two polynomials, shared factor or separate conditions

Questions involving two distinct polynomials f(x) and g(x) where conditions are given separately for each, or a common factor is shared between them.

4 questions

CAIE P2 2021 November Q6
6 The polynomials \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) and \(\mathrm { g } ( x )\) are defined by $$\mathrm { f } ( x ) = 4 x ^ { 3 } + a x ^ { 2 } + 8 x + 15 \quad \text { and } \quad \mathrm { g } ( x ) = x ^ { 2 } + b x + 18$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants.
  1. Given that \(( x + 3 )\) is a factor of \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\), find the value of \(a\).
  2. Given that the remainder is 40 when \(\mathrm { g } ( x )\) is divided by \(( x - 2 )\), find the value of \(b\).
  3. When \(a\) and \(b\) have these values, factorise \(\mathrm { f } ( x ) - \mathrm { g } ( x )\) completely.
  4. Hence solve the equation \(\mathrm { f } ( \operatorname { cosec } \theta ) - \mathrm { g } ( \operatorname { cosec } \theta ) = 0\) for \(0 < \theta < 2 \pi\).
CAIE P2 2015 June Q4
4 The polynomials \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) and \(\mathrm { g } ( x )\) are defined by $$\mathrm { f } ( x ) = x ^ { 3 } + a x ^ { 2 } + b \quad \text { and } \quad \mathrm { g } ( x ) = x ^ { 3 } + b x ^ { 2 } - a$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants. It is given that ( \(x + 2\) ) is a factor of \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\). It is also given that, when \(\mathrm { g } ( x )\) is divided by \(( x + 1 )\), the remainder is - 18 .
  1. Find the values of \(a\) and \(b\).
  2. When \(a\) and \(b\) have these values, find the greatest possible value of \(\mathrm { g } ( x ) - \mathrm { f } ( x )\) as \(x\) varies.
CAIE P2 2017 November Q4
4 The polynomials \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) and \(\mathrm { q } ( x )\) are defined by $$\mathrm { p } ( x ) = x ^ { 3 } + x ^ { 2 } + a x - 15 \quad \text { and } \quad \mathrm { q } ( x ) = 2 x ^ { 3 } + x ^ { 2 } + b x + 21 ,$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants. It is given that \(( x + 3 )\) is a factor of \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) and also of \(\mathrm { q } ( x )\).
  1. Find the values of \(a\) and \(b\).
  2. Show that the equation \(\mathrm { q } ( x ) - \mathrm { p } ( x ) = 0\) has only one real root.
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{e2b16207-2cb7-412b-ba7f-758e4d3f1ffb-06_631_643_260_749} The diagram shows the curve \(y = 4 e ^ { - 2 x }\) and a straight line. The curve crosses the \(y\)-axis at the point \(P\). The straight line crosses the \(y\)-axis at the point \(( 0,9 )\) and its gradient is equal to the gradient of the curve at \(P\). The straight line meets the curve at two points, one of which is \(Q\) as shown.
SPS SPS SM Pure 2023 September Q7
7.
\(( x - 3 )\) is a common factor of \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) and \(\mathrm { g } ( x )\) where: $$\begin{aligned} & \mathrm { f } ( x ) = 2 x ^ { 3 } - 11 x ^ { 2 } + ( p - 15 ) x + q
& \mathrm {~g} ( x ) = 2 x ^ { 3 } - 17 x ^ { 2 } + p x + 2 q \end{aligned}$$
    1. Show that \(3 p + q = 90\) and \(3 p + 2 q = 99\) Fully justify your answer.
  1. (ii) Hence find the values of \(p\) and \(q\).
  2. \(\quad \mathrm { h } ( x ) = \mathrm { f } ( x ) + \mathrm { g } ( x )\) Using your values of \(p\) and \(q\), fully factorise \(\mathrm { h } ( x )\)