1.

6 Fibonacci Sequence

In 1202, Leonardo Fibonacci (1170-1250) of Pisa, the most talented mathematician of the Middle Ages,
publish his famous work Liber Abaci. One of the problems presented in the book gave rise to the special type of
sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, . . . .

This sequence arose from the following problem:

A herd of rabbit started with one pair of adults, one male and one female. Each adult pair one pair
offspring, one male and one female monthly. The pairs of young rabbits become adults and bear their offspring
at two-months old. Assuming that there is no casualty, how many adult pairs of rabbits in the herd at the end of
n months?

The pattern show that is successive term is the sum of the two preceding terms. This sequence was later
named after him.

The Fibonacci Sequence

The Fibonacci sequence is defined by the recursive formula

Fn=Fn-2 + Fn-1 with F2=1.

EXAMPLE 1. Given the recursive formula for the Fibonacci sequence

Fn=Fn-2 + Fn-1, find the following:

a. F3 b. F4

SOLUTION

a. Fn=Fn-2 + Fn-1

F3=F3-2 + F3-1

=F1+ F2

= 1+1

=2

b. Fn=Fn-2 + Fn-1

F4=F4-2 + F4-1

= F2+ F3

= 1+2

=3

EXAMPLE 2. Find the 10th term of the Fibonacci sequence.

SOLUTION

To find any term of the Fibonacci sequence, apply the pattern until the desired term is determined.

______________________________________

The 10th term is 55.

The Fibonacci pattern gave rise to other patterns.

SOLUTION

Note that there is no common difference, but the difference increases by 1 for each term.

____________________________________

Thus, the next three terms are 25, 33, and 42.

EXAMPLE 4. Find the 9th term of the sequence 3, 6, 18, 72, …

SOLUTION

Consecutive terms are multiplied respectively by consecutive integers.

____________________________________

The 9th term is 1 088 640.

Written Math!

A. Find the fist 25 of the Fibonacci sequence.

B. Find the next three terms of each sequence.

11. 1, 8, 27, 64, … 12. 3, 4, 7, 11, …

13. 5, 14, 30, 55, … 14. 3, 7, 12, 21, …

15. 3, 7, 17, 41, … 16. 1, 9, 25, 49, …

17. x – 2y. 3x – y, 4x – 3y, 7x – 4y

18. -5x + y, 4x- 3y, -x -2y, 3x-5y

C. Find the 7th term of each sequence.

19. 300, 150, 50, … 20. 1.0, 1.5, 1.75, …

21. 465, 156, 52, … 22. 17, -34, 102, …

1.7 Harmonic Sequence

A harmonic sequence is a special type of sequence in which the reciprocal of each terms forms an
arithmetic sequence.

Harmonic Sequence

A sequence of the form

_____________________________

Is a harmonic sequence where a1 is the first term of an arithmetic sequence, d is the common difference,
and n is the number of terms

The sequence 1/3, 1/6, 1/9, … is a harmonic sequence since 3, 6, 9, … form an arithmetic sequence.
EXAMPLE

1. Find the 10th term of the harmonic sequence 1/16, 1/12, 1/8, …

SOLUTION

To determine the 10th term of the harmonic sequence, consider only the set of reciprocals. The
corresponding arithmetic sequence is 16, 12, 8, … with a1 = 16 and d = -4. Using the relation an = a1 + ( n-1) d,
the 10th term of this arithmetic sequence is

a1= 16+(10-1) (-4)

= 16+(9) (-4)

= 16-36

= -20

Thus, the 10th term of the harmonic sequence is -1/20.

Harmonic means are the terms between two terms of a harmonic sequence. In the harmonic sequence

1/16, 1/12, 1/8, … -1/20

The harmonic means between 1/16 and -1/20 are 1/12, 1/8, ¼, 0, -1/4, -1/8, and -1/16.

EXAMPLE 2. Insert three harmonic means between -1/2 and 1/18.

SOLUTION

The corresponding arithmetic sequence is of the form -2__, __, __18.

a1= -2 and a2 = 18

solving for d, we have:

18= -2 + (5-1) d

20= 4d

d= 5

Therefore, the arithmetic means are 3, 8, and 13. The corresponding harmonic means are 1/3, 1/8, and
1/13.

Written Math!

A. Find the indicate term of the harmonic sequence.

11. a2 = 1/8, a5 = 1/17 (10th term)

12. a1 = 1/11, a3 = 1/3 (9th term)

13. a4 = 2/17, a7 = 1/19 (1st term)

14. a3 = 1/3, a8 = 1/47 (13th term)

15. a5 = ¾, a9 = 3/13 (2nd term)

16. 1/3 and 1/31

17. -1/12 and 1/28

Dividing Polynomials

In dividing polynomials, the Laws of Exponents and the Distributive Property are also applied.

EXAMPLE8. Find the quotient .

a. (-49x3 + 42x5 – 84 x7) ÷ 7 x2

b. (-2x+ 3x2 -4)÷ (x-3)

c. 2x4 + 3x3 -4x -16)÷ (x+2)

SOLUTION

a. -49x3 + 42x5 -84x7 = -49x3 + 42x5 - 84x7

7x2 7x2 7x2 7x2

= -7x + 6x3 - 12x5

= -12x5 + 6x3 – 7x

b. (-2 + 3x2 -4) ÷ (x + 2)

The process to be illustrated is referred to as long division.

Step 1

Rewrite the given division problem in the form

Divisor dividend

With the terms of the divisor and dividend arranged according to the descending powers of the variable.

_____________

Step 2

Divide the first term of the dividend by the first term of the divisor to get the first term of the quotient.

_____________

Step 3

Multiply the quotient in step 2 by the divisor.

_____________

Step 4

Subtract the product in step 3 from the dividend. Bring down the next term/s.

_____________
Step 5

Use the difference obtained in step 4 as the new dividend. Repeat steps 1 to 4 until the degree of the
remainder is less than the degree of the divisor.

_____________

Step 6

Write the results in the form

_____________

Note: The divisor suggests that the value of x cannot be equal to 3.

c. (2x4 + 3x3 -4x -16) ÷ (x+2)

Insert 0 for the missing term.

________________

Thus,

________________

It is very important to remember that a 0 remainder implies that the divisor is a factor of the dividend.

Synthetic Division

The process of long division is tedious due to repetitive step/s.an abbreviated process called synthetic
division can be performed in dividing a polynomial in x by a divisor of the form x - c, where c is a nonzero
rational number. This process makes use of numerical coefficients only and is illustrated using the earlier
problems.

EXAMPLE9. Use synthetic division to find each quotient.

a. (-2x + 3x2 -4) ÷ (x-3)

b. 2x4 + 3x3 -4x -16) ÷ (x+2)

SOLUTION

a. Note that -2x + 3x2 -4 is equivalent to 3x2 -2x -4.

Step 1

Arrange the numerical coefficients of the dividend in descending powers of the variable. Use 0 as the
coefficients of any missing power of variables.

3 -2 -4

Step 2

Find c from the divisor. That is, x - c = x – 3. Thus, c = 3. Write the numerical coefficient in step 1 and c
in the form.

Numerical c

So,

3 -2 -4 3
Step 3

Copy the first entry in step 2 to the third line/row below thew horizontal line.

3 -2 -4 3

___________________

Step 4

Multiply the first entry in the third row c, and write the sum in the third row, second column.

3 -2 -4 3

__________________

Step 5

Add the entries in the second column. Write the sum in thew third row, second column.

3 -2 -4 3

__________________

3 7

Step 6

Repeat steps 4 and 5 until all the coefficient are used.

3 -2 -4 3

9 21

__________________

3 7 17

Step 7

Use the entries of the third row in step 6 as the coefficients of the quotient. The degree of the quotient is
one less than the degree of the dividend. Therefore,

_____________________________
b. (2x4 + 3x3 -4x -16) ÷ (x+)

Insert 0 for the missing term. Find c.

x-c = x+2

c = -2

2 3 0 -4 -16 -2

-4 2 -4 16

________________________________

2 -1 2 -8 0

Hence,

___________________________

EXAMPLE10. Use synthetic division to find each quotient.

a. (9x4 -x2 -6x + 2) ÷ (3x-1)

b. (4x3 - 12x2 + 17x -12) ÷ (2x-3)

SOLUTION

If the divisor is not of the form x – c, but of the form bx- c, divide both the divisor and the dividend by b.

a. ____________________________

______________________________

Therefore,

______________________

b. ______________________

_______________________

Thus, ________________________

The process of synthetic division can also be extended to division of a polynomial by a quadratic divisor. Study
the next examples.

EXAMPLE11. Use synthetic division to find each quotient.

a. (x5 + 4x4 + 2x3 -5x2 + 4x + 12) ÷ (x2 + 4x + 4)

b. (x4 - 3x3 + 11x2 -3x + 10) ÷ (x2 + 1)

a. Since the coefficient of the variable with the first degree and the constant term of the divisor are 4 and
4, respective, use -4 and -4 as divisor.

(x5 + 4x4 + 2x3 -5x2 + 4x + 12) ÷ (x2 + 4x + 4)

1 4 2 -5 4 12 -4, -4

-4 -4

0 0

8 8

-12 -12

1 0 -2 3 0 0

Thus,

(x5 + 4x4 + 2x3 -5x2 + 4x + 12) ÷ (x2 + 4x + 4) = x3 -2x + 3.

x2 + 4x + 4

b. (x4 - 3x3 + 11x2 -3x + 10) ÷ (x2 + 1)

1 -3 11 -3 10 0-1

0 -1

0 3

0 -10

1 -3 10 0 0

Hence,

(x4 - 3x3 + 11x2 -3x + 10) = x2 -3x + 10.

x2 + 1
 Exercise 2.1

MENTAL MATH!

Tell whether each algebraic expression is a polynomial or not. Classify the polynomial according to the
number of terms and determine its degree.

1. -3x2 2. 6x-4 + x-2 -x

3. 5x0 4. 1 -2x + 3x2 -4x3

5. _______ 6. ___________

7. 21/2 + 3x1/3 8. -8x4 -7x3.5 + 6x3

9. 13x -2x2 10. 2x2 -x

x 13

WRITTEN MATH!

A. Perform the indicate operations.

11. (5x3 + x2 -3x -7) + (x2 -6x + 9) 31. (x – 9)2

12. (x2 -8x + 11) – (8x3 + x2 -5x -9) 32. (3x + 2)2

13. (3x3 + 7x2 + 6x) + (2x3 + 6x2 + x) 33. (x-7) (x+7)

14. (4x3 + 3x2 + 4) – (-7x3 + 11x2 + 12x) 34. (3x + 4) (3x-4)

15. (5x2 -11x -3) + (7x2 -11x + 7) 35. (x2 -x + 2)2

16. (2x2 -3x + 4) – (x2 + 2x + 1) 36. (2x3 -x2 + 3)2

17. 3(x + 2x2 -1) + x (2x2 – 3x + 1) 37. (x-4)3

18. -4x (1 + 2x - x2) + 3 x2 (2x + 1) 38. (2x+3)3

19. x-2(3x + 1) + (x + 2) 39. (x+3) (x2 -3x + 9)

20. 3[x + 2(x-1)]-2x[3-x(1-2x)] 40. (2x2 -5) (4x4 + 10x2 + 25)

21. (3x+7) (3-2x) 41. 9x4 + 3x3 - x2

22. (4x + 5) (-4x + 2) 3x3

23. (3x-2) (5+6x) 42. 14x4 -28x3 + 35x2 -7x

24. (-5 + 2x) (-3+7x) - 7x2

25. (x + 3) (x3 - 2x2 + 3) 43. x2 -5x + 4

26. (x-5) (3x - x2 + x3) x-4

27. (x+3) (x-1) (x+2) 44. 6x2 -7x + 5

28. (2x -1) (1-2x) (x-2) 2x-3

29. (x2 + 3x + 1) (x3 -x -3) 45. 3 + 2x3 -10x -3x2

30. (x4 + 3 x2 -1) (4 x3 + x2 -x + 3) x-3

x-2 3x + 2

48. x3 + 5 -3x 49. 64x3 -125

-4 + x 4x-5

50. 27x3 -343

-7x + 3x

B. Use synthetic division to find each quotient.

51. x2 + x -30 52. x2 -2x -24

x+6 x+4

53. x2 + 11x + 18 54. 3x2 + 7x -5

x-6 x-3

55. 10x2 + 9x -36 56. 15x2 -62x + 40

2x-3 5x-4

57. x3 +3x2 -5x -4 58. x3 + 2x2 + 4x -5

x+2 x+3

59. x3 + 4x -7 60. x3 + 4x -7

x-3 x+3

61. 2x3 + 3x2 -6x + 1 62. 12 -4x -9x2 + 3x3

x+1 x+2

63. 5x4 + x2 + 2x + 4 64. 3x4 + 9x3 -9x + 9

x+1 x-2

65. x3 + 5x2 -2x -3 66. x3 -7x2 -15x + 8

x2 + 6x +4 x2 -9x +3

67. x3 + 4x2 + 3x -2 68. x3 - x2 -10x -8

x2 + 7x + 24 x2 -2x -8

69. x3 + 8 70. x6 -1

x2 -2x + 4 x2 -x + 1
MATH CHALLENGE!

Solve.

71.When x4 + kx3 – 2x2 + x + 4 is divided by x-3, the remainder is 16. What k?

72. 2x2 + Mx2 + Nx + 6 is divisible by both x-1 and x+2. Find the values of M and N.

73. What polynomial will have a quotient of 3x3 + 2x -1when divided by x-3?

74. The altitude of a triangle is (x2 + x-4) cm and its area is (x3 + 3x2 -2x -8) cm2. How long is its
base.

75. One factor of (x3 -2x2 -x + 2) is (x+1). Find the other factors.

76. Find the remainder when (8x2 + 34x + 9) is divided by (2x + 7).

2.2 The Remainder Theorem and the Factor Theorem

The Remainder Theorem

In the previous lessons, the remainder is determined using two methods-the long division and the
synthetic division. The remainder is the quantity left after a number or expression can no longer be divided
exactly by another number od expression. The remainder is 0 is the number or expression can be divided
exactly by the divisor.

Foe example, if 2x3 -7x2 -5x +4 is divided x-4 using the long division or synthetic division, the
remainder is 0.

Long Division

__________________

Synthetic Division

2 -7 -5 4 4

8 4 -4

2 1 -1 0

If 2x3 -7x2 + 3x + 4 is divided by x-1, the remainder is 2.

Long Division

___________________

Synthetic Division

2 -7 3 4 1

2 -5 -2

2 -5 -2 2

To find the remainder when the polynomial p(x) is divided by x - c, simply evaluate p(x) for x = c. in order
words, simply find p(c). this is the essence of the Remainder Theorem.

The Remainder Theorem

If a polynomial is p(x) divided by x – c, then the remainder is equal to p(c).

a. p(x) = 2x3 - 7x2 - 5x + 4; x-4

b. p(x) = 2x3 - 7x2 + 3x + 4; x-1

SOLUTION

a. x – c = x – 4

c=4

p (4) = 2(4) 3 - 7(4) 2 - 5(4) + 4

= 128 -112 – 20 + 4 = 0

Thus, the remainder of 2x3 – 7x2 – 5x + 4 is 0.

x–4

b. x – c = x – 1

c=1

p (1) = 2(1) 3 – 7(1) 2 + 3(1) + 4

Therefore, the remainder of 2x3 – 7x2 + 3x + 4 is 2

x–1

Proof of the Remainder Theorem

In any division problem, the relation

_______________

holds among these quantities. So if q(x) and R represent the quotient and remainder, respectively, when
the dividend p(x) is divided by the divisor x – c, then

__________________

Multiplying both sides of Equations 1 by x – c, results in

p (x) = q (x).(x – c) + R

Evaluating p (x) of Equation 2 for c,

p(c) = q(c).(c – c) + R

p(c) = 0 + R

p(c) = R. Equation 3

Equation 3 confirms that the remainder R is equal to p(c).

Synthetic division has its advantage over long division. If large exponents are involved, it is more
convenient to use the Remainder Theorem.

EXAMPLE 2. Find the remainder when the given p(x) is divided by the given divisor x – c.

a. p(x) = x87 + 2x48 + 7; x+1

b. p(x) = 2x7 -3x5 + 4x3 -5x +; x-2

a. x – c = x+1

c = -1

p (-1) = (-1) 87 + 2(-1) 48 + 7

= -1 + 2(1) + 7 = 8

The remainder when (x87 + 2x48 + 7) is divided by (x + 1) is 8.

b. x – c = x – 2

c=2

p (2) = 2(2)7 -3(2)5 + 4(2)3 -5(2) + 3

= 256 -96 + 32 -10 + 3 = 185

The remainder when (2x7 -3x5 + 4x3 -5x + 3) is divided by (x-) is 185.

EXAMPLE 3. Find the value of k so that when (x3 + 8x2 + kx + 4) is divided by (x + 2), the remainder is 3.

SOLUTION

Let p(x) = x3 + 8x2 + kx + 4.

By the remainder theorem,

p (-2) = (-2)3 + 8(-2)2 + k (-2) + 4 = 3

-8 + 32 -2k + 4 = 3

28 – 2k + 4 = 3

-2k = -25

k= 25/2.

The Factor Theorem and Its Converse

The application of the Remainder Theorem leads to determining if the divisor, x – c, is a factor of the
divided p(x). The binomial x – c is a factor of p(x) if p(x) can be divided exactly by x – c. that is,

______________

This relation implies that if the remainder theorem is applied, p(c) = 0. This observation is expressed in the next
theorem.

The Factor Theorem and Its Converse

If p(c) = 0, then x – c is a factor of polynomial p(x)

Conversely, if x – c is a factor of polynomial p(x), then p(c) = 0.

Proof of the Factor Theorem

Let p(x) be a polynomial divided by (x – c), and let q(x) and R represent the quotient and the remainder,
respectively.

By division algorithm,

Dividend = (quotient) (divisor) + remainder.

p (x) = [q(x)][(x – c)] + R.

By the remainder theorem,

p (x) = [q(x)][(x – c)] + p(c)

If p(c) =, by substitution,

p (x) [q(x)][(x – c)] + 0

p (x) [q(x)][(x – c)]

Hence, (x – c) is a factor of p (x).

EXAMPLE 4. Determine which of the following binomials are factors of p (x) = 2x3 -7x2 -5x + 4.

a. x + 1 b. x – 2

c. x – 4 d. x -1/2

SOLUTION

a. Find c.

x–c=x+1

c = -1

Find the remainder by applying the remainder theorem.

p (-1) = 2(-1)3 -7 (-1)2 -5 (-1) + 4

= -2 -7 + 5 + 4

=0

By the factor theorem, since p(-1) = 0, therefore, x + 1 is a factor of p(x).

Find c.

x–c=x–2

c=2

Find the remainder.

p (2) = 2(2)3 -7(2)2 -5(2) + 4

= 16 - 28 - 10 + 4

= 18

Since p(2) = -18 ≠ 0, x – 2 is not a factor of p(x).

c. x – c = x – 4

=4

p(4) = 2(4)3 -7(4)2 -5(4) + 4

= 128 -112 -20 + 4

=0
 Since p(4) = 0, x – 4 is a factor of p(x)

d. ___________________

Since p(1/2) =0, x – 4 is a factor of p(x).

Note that the statement “ x – c is a factor of p(x) “ implies that p (x) is divisible by x – c.

EXAMPLE 5. Determine if p(x) is divisible by the given binomial.

a. p(x) = x3 + x2 -7x -3; x + 3

b. p(x) = 5x3 + 4x2 -31x + 6; x-2

SOLUTION

The factor theorem implies that if p(c) = 0, then p(x) is divisible by x – c.

a. x – c = x+3

c = -3

p(-3) = (-3)3 + (-3)2 -7(-3) -3

= -27 + 9 + 21 – 3

=0

Since p(-3) = 0, x + 3 is a factor of p(x). Therefore, p(x) is divisible by x + 3.

b. x – c = x – 2

c=2

p(2) = 5(2)3 + 4(2)2 -31(2) + 6

= 40 + 16 -62 + 6

=0

Since p(2) =0, x – 2 is a factor of p(x). Thus, p(x) is divisible by x – 2

The statement “ x – c is a factor of p(x)” also implies that c is a root of p(x) = 0.

Enumerate all possible factors of p(x) based on its leading coefficient and constant term.

1. p(x) = x3 + 6x2 – 5x + 7

2. p(x) = -x3 + 4x2 + 7x – 11

3. p(x) = x3 -7x + 6

4. p(x) = 4x3 – 3x2 + x-1

5. p(x) = 3x3 + 2x2 + 8x + 3

6. p(x) = 6x3 – x2 – 12x – 5

7. p(x) = 2x3 + 15x2 + 22x – 15

8. p(x) = x4 – 2x3 – 3x2 + 8x – 4

9. p(x) = 3x4 + 16x3 + 14x2 – 24x – 9

10. p(x) = 6x4 – 17x3 + 7x2 + 8x – 4

WRITTEN MATH!

Factors each polynomial completely.

11. p(x) = 12x5 – 4x4 + 28x3

12. p(x) = 6x5 – 15x3 – 24x2

13. p(x) = 2x6 – 4x5 – 30x4

14. p(x) = - 3x5 + 3x4 + 36x3

15. p(x) = - 15x6 – 50x5 + 40x4

16. p(x) = x6 – 3x3 – 28

17. p(x) = x4 – 13x2 + 36

18. p(x) = x6 -7x3 – 8

19. p(x) = 36x4 -73x2 + 16

20. p(x) = 16x6 – 1296x4 – x2 + 81

21. p(x) = 2x5 + 3x4 – 2x – 3

22. p(x) = 16x4 + 8x3 + 2x + 1

23. p(x) = x5 - x3 – x2 + 1

24. p(x) = x4 – 3x2 + 9

25. p(x) = 4x4 + 4x2 + 25

26. p(x) = x4 – 2x3 – 11x2 + 12x + 36

27. p(x) = 36x4 – 36x3 + 5x2 + 4x – 1

28. p(x) = x3 – 6x2 + 12x – 8

29. p(x) = x4 – 2x3 – 3x2 + 8x – 4

31. p(x) = x4 + 2x3 – 8x – 16

32. p(x) = x4 + 10x3 + 35x2 + 50x + 24

33. p(x) = x4 + x3 – 13x2 – 25x – 12

34. p(x) = 2x3 + 3x2 – 8x + 3

35. p(x) = 6x3 + 4x2 – 14x + 4

MATH CHALLENGE!

Solve.

36. One of the factors of kx3 + 3x2 – 2kx + 1. Find k.

37. The polynomial 3x4 – 2x3 + x2 – k is divided by x + 1. Find k.

38. If the polynomial p(x) = (x + 3) (x – 2) (x – k) + 6 is divided by x – 3, the remainder is 12.

39. One of the roots of 2x3 – x2 – 5x + 3 is 3/2. Find the other roots.

An equation involving a polynomial expression is referred to as a polynomial equation.

Polynomial Equation

A polynomial equation of degree n in one variable x is an equation that can be written in the
form.

anxn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 + … + a2x2 + a1x + ao = 0, where an, an-1, an-2 ... ao are real numbers.

Examples of polynomial equations are the following:

x+2=0 (linear equation)

3x2 – x + 7 + 0 (quadratic equation)

-2x3 – x2 + 1 = 0 ( cubic equation)

The degree of the polynomial equation is determined by the highest exponent of the variable. For instance, the
polynomial equation 5x6 – 3x4 + 2x2 – 1 = 0 is of the 6th degree, and the polynomial equation – 7x5 + 3x4 + 4x3 –
2x2 + x + 3 = 0 is of the 5th degree

A value of the variable that satisfies a polynomial equation is called a root of the equation.

EXAMPLE 1. Determine if the given value of c is a root of the given equation.

a. x4 – 3x2 – x2 + 7x – 24 = 0; c = -3

b. 2x3 – 5x2 + 2x – 11 = 0; c = 2

SOLUTION

By the factor theorem, if p (-3) = 0, then (x+3) is a factor of the polynomial p(x).

a. Let p(x) = x4 – 3x2 - x2 + 7x – 24.

p (-3) = (-3)4 – 3(-3)2 – (-3)2 + 7(-3) – 24

= 81 – 27 – 9 – 21 – 24

=0
Since p (-3) = 0, x + 3 is a factor of p (x). Hence, -3 is a root of x4 – 3x2 - x2 + 7x – 24 = 0.

b. Let p (x) = 2x3 – 5x2 + 2x – 11.

p (2) = 2(2)3 – 5(2)2 + 2(2) – 11

= 16 – 20 + 4 – 11

= - 11

Since p (2) = - 11 ≠ 0, x – 2 is not a factor of p (x). Therefore, 2 is not a root of 2x3 – 5x2 + 2x – 11 = 0.

If n roots of an unknown polynomial equation of degree n are known, then the polynomial equation can be
formed.

EXAMPLE 2. Form the polynomial equation with integral coefficients whose only roots are given.

a. 1, - 2, ½

b. ______

c. 2i, - 2i, -1, 3/2

SOLUTION

a. Let p (x) = 0 be the polynomial equation. If 1, -2, and ½ are roots of p (x) = 0, then x – 1, x – (-2), and x - 1/2
are the only factors of p(x). the polynomial equation is

(x – 1) [x – (-2)] (x – ½) = 0

(x – 1) (x + 2) (x – ½) = 0

(x – 1) (x + 2) (2x – 1) = 0

(x2 + x – 2) (2x – 1) = 0

2x2 + x2 – 5x + 2 = 0

To check, substitute the given roots to the variable of the equation formed.

2(1)3 + (1)2 – 5(1) + 2 = 2 + 1 – 5 + 2 = 0

2(-2)3 + (-2)2 – 5(-2) + 2 = -16 + 4 + 10 + 2 = 0

2(1/2)3 + (1/2)2 = - 5(1/2) + 2 = 2/8 + ¼ - 5/2 + 2 = 0

b. Let p (x) = 0 be the polynomial equation. If ___, ___ and 0 are roots of p (x) = 0, then x - ___, x + ___, and x –
0 are factors of p (x). the equation is

________________

c. Let p (x) = 0 be the polynomial equation.

If 2i,- 2i, - 1, and 3/2 are roots of p (x) = 0, then x - 2i, x + 2i, x + 1, and 2x – 3, are focus of p (x). the
required equation is

(x - 2i) (x + 2i) (x + 1) (2x – 3) = 0

(x2 - 4i2) (2x2 – x – 3) = 0

[x2 – 4 (-1)] (2x2 – x – 3) = 0

(x2 + 4) (2x2 – x – 3) = 0

2x4 – x3 + 5x2 – 4x – 12 = 0

Generally, polynomial equations of the 3rd degree and above are solved graphically. However, there are
polynomial equations that can be solved algebraically.
EXAMPLE 3. Solve each polynomial equation.

a. 9x4 – 19x2 + 2 = 0 b. 4x5 – 21x3 + 27x = 0

SOLUTION

a. The given equation 9x4 – 19x2 + 2 = 0 can be expressed in quadratic form. By letting u = x2, the given
polynomial equation can be expressed as 9u2 – 19u + 2 = 0.

By factoring,

9u2 – 19u + 2 = (9u – 1) (u – 2) = 0

Thus, the solution of 9u2 – 19u + 2 = 0 are:

9u – 1 = 0 or u–2=0

9u = 1 u=2

u = 1/9

If u = 1/9 and u = x2,

x2 = 1/9

x = ≠ _______

x = ≠ 1/3.

If u = 2 and u = x2,

x2 = 2

x = ≠ ___

Therefor, the roots of the equation 9x4 – 19x2 + 2 + 0 are 1/3. – 1/3, ___, and - __.

b. The equation 4x5 – 21x3 + 27x = 0 is factorable. The common monomial factor is x.

4x4 – 21x3 + 27x = x (4x4 – 21x2 + 27) = 0.

This implies that x = 0 or 4x4 – 21x2 + 27 = 0. To solve for 4x4 – 21x2 + 27 = 0, let u = x2.

4u2 – 21u + 27 = 0

(4u – 9) (u – 3) = 0

4u – 9 = 0 or u–3=0

4u = 0 u=3

u = 9/4

If u = x2 and u = 9/4,

x2 = 9/4

x = ≠ ____

x = ≠ 3/2.

If u = x2 and u = 3,

x2 = 3

x = ≠ ___
Therefore, the roots of the equation 4x5 – 21x3 + 27x = 0 are 0, 3/2, - 3/2, __ and - __

EXAMPLE 4. Solve each polynomial equation.

a. (x + 2)2 (x – 1)4 = 0 b. x2 (2x – 3)3 = 0

SOLUTION

Note that the polynomials are in factored form that makes it easy to solve these equations.

To find the roots of these equations, the zero product property is used. Equate each linear factor to 0;
then solve for x.

a. The polynomial equation (x + 2)2 (x – 1)4 = 0 is of the 6th degree; hence, it has 6 roots. The factor x + 2 is
raised to the 2nd power, which implies that x + 2 = 0 or x = - 2 is a double root. The factor x – 1 is raised to the
4th power, which implies that x – 1 = 0 or x = 1 is a root of multiplicity 4.

Therefore, the roots of (x + 2)2 (x – 1)4 = 1 are

-2 (multiplicity 2) and 1 (multiplicity 4).

b. The polynomial equation x2 (2x – 3)3 = 0 is of the 5th degree, hence, it has 5 roots.

x2 = 0 or x=0 (multiplicity 2)

2x – 3 = 0 or x = 3/2 (multiplicity 3)

The difficulty of finding the roots of a polynomial equation increase when the polynomial is not expressed in
factored form. In this case, the guess-and-check method may be used.

EXAMPLE 5. Solve each polynomial equation.

a. x3 + 6x2 + 11x + 6 = 0 b. x4 – x3 – 11x2 + 9x + 18 = 0

SOLUTION

` a. The polynomial is of the 3rd degree; it has 3 roots.

Using synthetic division, determine if x = 1 is a root.

Trial 1: x = 1

1 6 11 6 1

1 7 18

1 7 18 24

Since the remainder is not 0, 1 is not a root of the given equation. It is important to note that if the value of x is
increased, the remainder will also increase. Since the target is to obtain a zero remainder, try a value of x less
than 1.

Trial 2: x = 0

p (0) = 03 + 6(0)2 + 11(0) + 6 = 6

0 is not a root of the given equation.