Finding Constants from Remainder Conditions

Determine unknown constants in a polynomial given information about remainders when divided by linear or quadratic factors, using the remainder theorem or direct comparison.

5 questions · Moderate -0.2

1.02j Manipulate polynomials: expanding, factorising, division, factor theorem
Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
CAIE P2 2016 June Q2
5 marks Moderate -0.3
2
  1. Find the quotient and remainder when \(2 x ^ { 3 } - 7 x ^ { 2 } - 9 x + 3\) is divided by \(x ^ { 2 } - 2 x + 5\).
  2. Hence find the values of the constants \(p\) and \(q\) such that \(x ^ { 2 } - 2 x + 5\) is a factor of \(2 x ^ { 3 } - 7 x ^ { 2 } + p x + q\).
CAIE P3 2019 November Q3
5 marks Standard +0.3
3 The polynomial \(x ^ { 4 } + 3 x ^ { 3 } + a x + b\), 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 \(2 x + 3\). Find the values of \(a\) and \(b\).
CAIE P2 2012 November Q7
8 marks Moderate -0.3
7 The polynomial \(2 x ^ { 3 } - 4 x ^ { 2 } + a x + b\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants, is denoted by \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\). It is given that when \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) is divided by \(( x + 1 )\) the remainder is 4 , and that when \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) is divided by \(( x - 3 )\) the remainder is 12 .
  1. Find the values of \(a\) and \(b\).
  2. When \(a\) and \(b\) have these values, find the quotient and remainder when \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) is divided by ( \(x ^ { 2 } - 2\) ).
CAIE P2 2013 November Q4
9 marks Moderate -0.3
4
  1. The polynomial \(x ^ { 3 } + a x ^ { 2 } + b x + 8\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants, is denoted by \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\). It is given that when \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) is divided by \(( x - 3 )\) the remainder is 14 , and that when \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) is divided by \(( x + 2 )\) the remainder is 24 . Find the values of \(a\) and \(b\).
  2. When \(a\) and \(b\) have these values, find the quotient when \(\mathrm { p } ( x )\) is divided by \(x ^ { 2 } + 2 x - 8\) and hence solve the equation \(\mathrm { p } ( x ) = 0\).
OCR C4 2006 January Q3
6 marks Moderate -0.3
3
  1. Find the quotient and the remainder when \(3 x ^ { 3 } - 2 x ^ { 2 } + x + 7\) is divided by \(x ^ { 2 } - 2 x + 5\).
  2. Hence, or otherwise, determine the values of the constants \(a\) and \(b\) such that, when \(3 x ^ { 3 } - 2 x ^ { 2 } + a x + b\) is divided by \(x ^ { 2 } - 2 x + 5\), there is no remainder.