Grade

10

MATHEMATICS
QUARTER 1 – MODULE 7
MELC 12

Solving Problems
Involving
Polynomials and
Polynomial
Equations
PART I.
Introduction
Wow Math!!!
Good day Math enthusiasts!!! Today, you are going to learn about solving problems
involving polynomials and polynomial equations by factoring, long division, and synthetic
division.
After going through this module, you are expected to solve problems involving
polynomials and polynomial equations.

Pretest
Let us find out what you already know about the content of this module. Take note of
the items/questions that you were not able to answer correctly and go over to them as you
go through this module for self-correction. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What are the roots of the polynomial equation, x3 - x2 - 8x + 12 = 0?
A. -2, -2, 3 B. -2, -2, -3 C. 2, 2, -3 D. -2, 2, 3
2. Find a cubic polynomial equation with roots 1, - 2, 4.
A. x3 - 3x2 - 6x + 8 = 0
B. x3 + 3x2 - 6x + 8 = 0
C. x3 - 3x2 + 6x - 8 = 0
D. x3 - 3x2 - 6x + 8 = 0
3. The area of a rectangular garden is 48m2. If the length is thrice its width, what are the
dimensions of the garden?
A. w = 3m, l = 16m B. w = 4m, l = 12m C. w = 12m, l = 4m D. w = 16m, l = 3m
4. Suppose the area of a rectangle is (6a2 - 7a - 20) square units. If its width is ( 2a - 5) units,
find the perimeter of the rectangle.
A. P = (10a - 2) units
B. P = (15a + 5) units
C. P = (14a - 4) units
D. P = (13a + 3) units
5. If a car covers (15a2 + 7a - 2) km in (3a + 2) hours, what is the average speed in km/hr?
A. (15a + 3) km/hr B. (15a - 3) km/hr C. (3a + 15) km/hr D. (3a - 15) km/hr

Presentation/Discussion
MELC 12: Solves problems involving polynomials and polynomial equations
A polynomial is an expression that consists of two or more algebraic expressions.
In a polynomial expression, the same variable has different powers. The powers must be
positive integers for the expression to be called a polynomial. If you add one term to another
term, the result is also a polynomial. This applies to all the operations of addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division.
In other words, a polynomial is an expression that has variables (also known as
coefficients and indeterminate) that involves only the basic operations in mathematics,
namely addition, subtraction, multiplication, and nonnegative integral powers of the
variables. For instance, a polynomial of a single variable is x2 - 3x + 4. An example of a
polynomial having three variables is x3 + 3xyz2 - yz + 1.
A polynomial equation is an equation that has multiple terms made up of
numbers and variables. The degree tells us how many roots can be found in a polynomial
equation.

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 What is a word problem?

- is often used to refer to any

mathematical exercise where
significant background
information on the problem is
presented as text rather than
in mathematical notation.

Example 1. HINT: P = 2l + 2w
If the length of a rectangle l=(5a2+3a+6)m, w=(7a+9) m
in terms of a is (5a2+3a+6) m,
and its width is (7a + 9) m, what P=2(5a2+3a+6) + 2(7a+9)
is the perimeter of this P=10a2+6a+12+14a+18
rectangle?
P=(10a2+20a+30) m

Example 2. HINT: P = 2l + 2w
l = (5x2+4x-6) m
If the length of a rectangle in w = (3x2+2x+8) m
terms of x is (5x2 + 4x - 6) m,
and its width is (3x2+2x+8) m, P=2(5x2+4x-6) + 2(3x2+2x+8)
what is the perimeter of the P=(10x2+8x-12+6x2+4x+16)
rectangle? P = (16x2 + 12x + 4) m

Steps to Solve Word Problems

1. Before you write anything down, read the problem and find out what the problem is asking
for. Then underline it, circle it, put cute stars around it, etc.
1. Choose a variable and use it with the given facts to represent number(s) described in the
problem.
2. Reread the problem. Then, write an equation that represents the relationships in the
problem. Draw diagrams and pictures if it helps you.
3. Solve the equation and find what’s required.
4. Check your results (and especially UNITS) and make sure you have solved for what’s in
number 1.

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Illustrative Examples:

1. The product of two positive consecutive odd integers is 255. Find the integers.

Step 1. Representation Let n be the first positive odd integer

n+2 be the next positive consecutive odd
integer
Step 2. Working Equation The product of the two positive consecutive
odd integers is 255.
n(n + 2) = 255
n2 + 2n = 255
Step 3. Solve the Problem n2 + 2n = 255
n2 + 2n - 255 = 0
(n + 17)(n - 15) = 0

n + 17 = 0 n - 15 = 0
n = - 17 n = 15
Note: There are two values of n that are
solutions to this problem. But we only
consider the positive value, so n = 15.
Step 4.Conclusion If n = 15, then
n+2 = 15+2 = 17
 The 1st + odd integer (n) is 15
 The next + odd integer (n+2) is 17
Step 5. Check your answer The product of two positive consecutive odd
integers is 255.
The 1st + odd integer (n) is 15
The next + odd integer (n+2) is 17
n(n+2) = 255
15(17) = 255
255 = 255

2. The area of a right triangle is 25m2. Find the lengths of the legs if one of the legs is
5m longer than the other leg.

Step 1. Representation Let x be the length of the first leg (base)

x+5 be the length of the other leg (height)
Step 2. Working Equation Area of the triangle is:
A = bh
25 = (x)(x+5)
Step 3. Solve the Problem 25 = (x)(x+5)
2(25) = 1(x2+5x)
50 = x2+5x
x2+5x - 50 = 0

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 (x - 5)(x + 10) = 0
x-5=0 x + 10 = 0
x=5 x = -10
Note: There are two values of x that are
solutions to this problem. But we only
consider the positive value for x because the
length of the sides of any triangle is always
represented by positive, so x = 5.
Step 4.Conclusion If x = 5, then
x + 5 = 5 + 5 = 10
 The length of the first leg (base) is 5m
 The length of the other leg (height) is
10m
Step 5. Check your answer A = bh
A = (5)(10)
A = (50)
A=
A = 25 m2

3. The rectangular garden of Mitch has an area of (8a2 + 14a - 15) square meters.
If the length measures (2a + 5) meters, find the width.

Step 1. Representation Let A be the area of the rectangular garden

A = lw
A = (8a2 +14a - 15) m2
L = (2a+5) , w = ___
Step 2. Working Equation Use Long Division to find the width of the
rectangular garden
A = (8a2 +14a - 15) m2
L = (2a+5) m
2
Step 3. Solve the Problem (8a +14a - 15) ÷ (2a+5)
4a - 3
2a+5 8a2 +14a - 15
8a2 20a
- 6a - 15
6a 15
0
Q(x) = 4a – 3
Step 4.Conclusion Q(x) = 4a - 3
Q(x) = width = 4a - 3
Therefore, w = 4a – 3
Step 5. Check your answer A = lw
2
8a +14a - 15 = (2a+5)(4a - 3)
8a2 +14a - 15 = 8a2 +14a - 15

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4. The volume of a rectangular shoe box is (2a3 - 9a2 - 19a + 6) cubic cm and the
height is (a - 6) cm. Find the area of the base of the box.

Step 1. Representation Let A be the area of the base of the

rectangular shoe box
V = lwh
V = (2a3 - 9a2 - 19a + 6) cm3
h = (a - 6) cm, l = ___ , w = ___

Step 2. Working Equation Use Synthetic Division to find the area of the
base
V = (2a3 - 9a2 - 19a + 6) cm3
h = (a - 6) cm

Step 3. Solve the Problem (2a3 - 9a2 - 19a + 6) (x - 6)

a-6=0
a-6+6=0+6
a=6

6 2 -9 - 19 6
↓ 12 18 -6

2 3 -1 0
↓ ↓
A = 2a2 + 3a - 1

Step 4. Conclusion Therefore the Area (A) of the shoe box base
is: A = lw = (2a2 + 3a - 1) cm2

Step 5. Check your answer V = lwh

2a3 - 9a2 - 19a + 6 = (2a2 + 3a - 1)(a - 6)
2a3 - 9a2 - 19a+6=2a3 - 12a2+3a2 - 18a - a +6
2a3 - 9a2 - 19a + 6 = 2a3 - 9a2 - 19a + 6

5. One dimension of a cube is increased by 1 inch to form a rectangular prism. Suppose

that the volume of the new prism is 80 cubic inches. Find the length of an edge of the
original cube.
Solution:
Step1. Assign value/representation.

Let x - side of the cube

x+1 - length of the rectangular prism

Note: V = LWH

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 Step 2. Working Equation
x(x)(x+1) = 80
x3 + x2 = 80
x3 + x2 - 80 = 0

Step 3. Solve the problem.

***Use Synthetic Division to find the length of the rectangular prism***

Possible Roots:

, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 80

Test: x = 4

4 1 1 0 - 80
↓ 4 20 80

1 5 20 0
Q(x) = x2 + 5x + 20 = 0

***Use Discriminant Method to find the other real roots using the reduced equation Q(x).
a = 1, b = 5, c = 20

b2 - 4ac
= 52 - 4(1)(20)
= 25 - 80
= - 55 No real roots

Step 4. Conclusion
Therefore, the only real roots of the working equation x3 + x2 - 80 = 0 is 4.
Hence, the length of an edge of the original cube is 4 inches.

Step 5. Check your answer.

V = LWH
80 = (x)(x)(x+1)
80 = (4)(4)(5)
80 = 80
80 cubic inches = 80 cubic inches

Remember:
To solve polynomial equations, the rule of thumb is
always isolating the unknown to one side of the equation.

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PART II. ACTIVITY

Directions: Solve the following problems completely. Write your solutions on a separate
sheet of paper. Encircle your final answer.

1. The area of a right triangle is 44 m 2. Find the lengths of the legs if one of the legs is 3 m
longer than the other leg.

2. The area of a rectangle is given by the polynomial expression a 3 - 2a2 - 6a + 12 and its
length is given by a - 2. Find the width of the rectangle.

3. The number of cellphones sold by a shop can be modelled by an

expression P(c) = 7c2 + 25 and the price per cellphone in pesos, is modelled
by the expression P(c) = 3c2 + 3c + 36, where c is the number of months in a
year. If we use this model, what is the total amount of revenue generated by the shop at
the end of the year?

4. A tree is supported by a wire anchored in the ground 5 meters from its base. The wire is 1
meter longer than the height that it reaches on the tree. Find the length of the wire.

5. The second side of a triangle is twice as long as the first side. The third side is 8 inches
longer than the first side. The perimeter is 28 inches. Find the length of the longest side.

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PART III. Assessment

Directions: Solve the following items accurately. Then, choose the letter of the correct
answer and write it on a separate sheet of paper.

1. The product of two consecutive positive odd integers is 99. Find the integers.
A. 9, 11 B. 11, 13 C. - 9, - 11 D. - 11, - 13

2. Two positive numbers differ by 4 and have a product of 60. Find the numbers.
A. 6, 10 B. 10, 6 C. 4, 8 D. 8,4

3. The sum of a number and its square is 72. Find the number.
A. - 9, 8 B. 9, -8 C. 9, 8 D. - 9, - 8

4. Suppose the area of a rectangle is (6x2 - 7x - 20) square units. Find the perimeter of the
rectangle if its width is ( 2x - 5) units.
A. P = 15x + 5 B. P = 15x - 5 C. P = 10x - 2 D. P = 10x + 18

5. The rectangular garden of John has an area of ( 8b2 + 14b - 15) square meters. If the
length measures (2b + 5) meters, find the width.
A. 4b + 3 B. 4b + 2 C. 4b - 3 D. 4b - 2

6. Ma’am Karen designed a rectangular garden. Her garden has a length of (a - 4) meters
and width of (a - 8) meters. If the area of the garden is 117 square meters, what is the
measure of its length and width?
A. l = 9, w = 13 B. l = 13, w = 9 C. l = 4, w = 8 D. l = 8, w = 4

7. The base and height of a parallelogram are (m - 7) meters and (m + 9) meters

respectively. If the area of the parallelogram is 192 square meters, find the actual
values of its dimensions.
A. b = 5, h = 15 B. b = 8, h = 24 C. b = 12, h = 18 D. b = 12, h = 20

8. The volume of a rectangular candy box is (2y3 - 9y2 - 19y + 6) cubic cm and its height
is (y - 6) cm. Find the area of the base of the box.
A. (y2 + 3y - 1) cm2 C. (2y2 + 3y + 1) cm2
2 2
B. (2y + 3y - 1) cm D. (3y2 + 3y - 1) cm2

9. In the Mathematics Class at Perfecto National High School, the boys of G10 - Euclid were
asked to build a huge wooden rectangular container with a volume of 60m 3. The
width of the rectangular container is 2 m less than the length and the height is 1 m less
than the length. Find the dimensions of the container.
A. L = 6, W = 2, H = 5 C. L = 3, W = 4, H = 5
B. L = 3, W = 2, H = 6 D. L = 5, W = 3, H = 4

10. One dimension of a cube is increased by 1 inch to form a rectangular block. Suppose
that the volume of the new block is 252 cubic inches. Find the length of an edge of the
original cube.
A. 6 inches B. 7 inches C. 8 inches D. 9 inches

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Answer Key

5. B 5. 13 inches
4. A 4. 13 m
3. B 3. Php 54,936
2. A 2. a2 + 6 units
1. C 1. 8 m, 11m

Pretest Part II. ACTIVITY

References:

Orlando A. Oronce and Marilyn O. Mendoza. 2007. e – math Advanced Algebra and
Trigonometry. Worktext in Mathematics for Fourth Year High School. Printed by Rex Book
Store, Inc.

Government of the Philippines. Department of Education. 2015. Mathematics Learner’s

Module in Grade 10. Printed by Rex Book Store, Inc.

Government of the Philippines. Department of Education. 2015. Mathematics Teacher’s

Guide in Grade 10. Printed by Rex Book Store, Inc.

Compendium of Notes with Illustrative Examples - Mathematics 10, pages 40 - 43

https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/polynomial-equation-word-problem.html