Unknown constant, verify then factorise

Questions where a constant in the polynomial is unknown and must be found using the given factor, then the polynomial is factorised completely.

3 questions · Moderate -0.5

1.02j Manipulate polynomials: expanding, factorising, division, factor theorem
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OCR C2 2006 January Q8
12 marks Moderate -0.3
8 The cubic polynomial \(2 x ^ { 3 } + k x ^ { 2 } - x + 6\) is denoted by \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\). It is given that \(( x + 1 )\) is a factor of \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\).
  1. Show that \(k = - 5\), and factorise \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) completely.
  2. Find \(\int _ { - 1 } ^ { 2 } f ( x ) \mathrm { d } x\).
  3. Explain with the aid of a sketch why the answer to part (ii) does not give the area of the region between the curve \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) and the \(x\)-axis for \(- 1 \leqslant x \leqslant 2\). \section*{[Question 9 is printed overleaf.]}
OCR C2 Q5
7 marks Moderate -0.3
5.
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The diagram shows the curve \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) where $$f ( x ) = 4 + 5 x + k x ^ { 2 } - 2 x ^ { 3 }$$ and \(k\) is a constant. The curve crosses the \(x\)-axis at the points \(A , B\) and \(C\).
Given that \(A\) has coordinates \(( - 4,0 )\),
  1. show that \(k = - 7\),
  2. find the coordinates of \(B\) and \(C\).
CAIE P2 2015 June Q2
6 marks Moderate -0.8
  1. Given that \((x + 2)\) is a factor of $$4x^3 + ax^2 - (a + 1)x - 18,$$ find the value of the constant \(a\). [3]
  2. When \(a\) has this value, factorise \(4x^3 + ax^2 - (a + 1)x - 18\) completely. [3]