POLYNOMIALS In Class IX, you have studied polynomials in one variable and

their degrees. Recall that if p(x) is a polynomial in x, the highest power of x

in p(x) is called the degree of the polynomial p(x). For example, 4x + 2 is a
polynomial in the variable x of degree 1, 2y2 – 3y + 4 is a polynomial in the
variable y of degree 2, 5x3 – 4x2 + x – 2
is a polynomial in the variable x of degree 3 and 3
7u6 – 2 u 4 + 4u 2 + u − 8 is a polynomial

1 1
in the variable u of degree 6. Expressions etc.,
like , x +2, are
x−1 x2 +2x+3
not polynomials.
A polynomial of degree 1 is called a linear polynomial. For example, 2x – 3,
2 2 u + 1 , etc., are all linear polynomials.
3x + 5, y + 2 , x − , 3z + 4, 3 Polynomials
11
2 3
such as 2x + 5 – x , x + 1, etc., are not linear polynomials.
A polynomial of degree 2 is called a quadratic polynomial. The name
‘quadratic’
has been derived from the word ‘quadrate’, which means 2
2
‘square’. 2 x + 3x − ,
5
u 2 1
2 2 2 2 2
y – 2, 2 − x +3x, − 2u + 5,5v − v , 4z + are some examples of
3 3 7
quadratic polynomials (whose coefficients are real numbers). More
generally, any quadratic polynomial in x is of the form ax2 + bx + c, where a,
b, c are real numbers and a ≠ 0. A polynomial of degree 3 is called a cubic
polynomial. Some examples of
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POLYNOMIALS 21

a cubic polynomial are 2 – x3, 2 x3 , 3 – x2 + x3, 3x3 – 2x2 + x – 1. In fact, the

x3 , most
3 2
general form of a cubic polynomial isax + bx + cx + d,where, a, b, c, d
are real numbers and a ≠ 0.Now consider the polynomial p(x) = x2 – 3x – 4.
Then, putting x = 2 in the polynomial, we get p(2) = 22 – 3 × 2 – 4 = – 6. The
value ‘– 6’, obtained by replacing x by 2 in x2 – 3x – 4, is the value of x2 – 3x
– 4 at x = 2. Similarly, p(0) is the value of p(x) at x = 0, which is – 4.If p(x) is a
polynomial in x, and if k is any real number, then the value obtained by
replacing x by k in p(x), is called the value of p(x) at x = k, and is denoted by
p(k).What is the value of p(x) = x2 –3x – 4 at x = –1? We have :p(–1) = (–1)2 –
{3 × (–1)} – 4 = 0Also, note that p(4) = 42 – (3 × 4) – 4 = 0.As p(–1) = 0
and p(4) = 0, –1 and 4 are called the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial x2 –
3x – 4. More generally, a real number k is said to be a zero of apolynomial
p(x), if p(k) = 0.You have already studied in Class IX, how to find the zeroes
of a linear polynomial. For example, if k is a zero of p(x) = 2x + 3, then p(k) =
0 gives us
3
2k + 3 = 0, i.e., k = − ⋅
2 −b
In general, if k is a zero of p(x) = ax + b, then p(k) = ak + b = 0,
i.e., k = ⋅
a
− (Constant
So, the zero of the linear polynomial ax + −b term)
b is = .
a Coefficient of x
Thus, the zero of a linear polynomial is related to its coefficients. Does this
happen in the case of other polynomials too? For example, are the zeroes of
a quadratic polynomial also related to its coefficients?In this chapter, we
will try to answer these questions. We will also study the division algorithm
for polynomials.2.2 Geometrical Meaning of the Zeroes of a
PolynomialYou know that a real number k is a zero of the polynomial p(x) if
p(k) = 0. But why are the zeroes of a polynomial so important? To answer
this, first we will see the geometrical representations of linear and
quadratic polynomials and the geometrical meaning of their zeroes.
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22 MATHEMATICSConsider first a linear polynomial ax + b, a ≠ 0. You
have studied in Class IX that the graph of y = ax + b is a straight line. For
example, the graph of y = 2x + 3 is a straight line passing through the points
(– 2, –1) and (2, 7).
x –2 2

y = 2x + 3 –1 7

From Fig. 2.1, you can seethat the graph of y = 2x + 3intersects the x -
axis mid-waybetween x = –1 and x = – 2,
3

that is, at the point − , 0.

2
You also know that the zero of32the polynomial 2x + 3 is thex-
coordinate of the point where thegraph of y = 2x + 3 intersects the Fig. 2.1
x-axis.In general, for a linear polynomial ax + b, a ≠ 0, the graph of y =
ax + b is a
−b
straight line which intersects the x-axis at exactly one point,
namely, , 0.
a
Therefore, the linear polynomial ax + b, a ≠ 0, has exactly one zero, namely,
the x-coordinate of the point where the graph of y = ax + b intersects the x-
axis.Now, let us look for the geometrical meaning of a zero of a quadratic
polynomial. Consider the quadratic polynomial x2 – 3x – 4. Let us see what
the graph* of y = x2 – 3x – 4 looks like. Let us list a few values of y = x2 – 3x –
4 corresponding to a few values for x as given in Table 2.1.Plotting of graphs
of quadratic or cubic polynomials is not meant to be done by the students,
nor is to be evaluated.
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POLYNOMIALS 23

Table 2.1

x –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

y = x2 – 3x – 4 6 0 –4 –6 –6 –4 0 6

If we locate the points listedabove on a graph paper and drawthe graph, it

will actually look likethe one given in Fig. 2.2.In fact, for any
quadraticpolynomial ax2 + bx + c, a ≠ 0, thegraph of the
2
correspondingequation y = ax + bx + c has oneof the two shapes
either openupwards like or opendownwards like depending
onwhether a > 0 or a < 0. (Thesecurves are called parabolas.)You can see
from Table 2.1that – 1 and 4 are zeroes of thequadratic polynomial.
Alsonote from Fig. 2.2 that –1 and 4are the x -coordinates of the
pointswhere the graph of y = x2 – 3x – 4intersects the x - axis. Thus,
thezeroes of the quadratic polynomialx2 – 3x – 4 are x -coordinates of
the points where the graph of
Fig. 2.2
2
y = x – 3x – 4 intersects the
x - axis.This fact is true for any quadratic polynomial, i.e., the zeroes of
a quadratic polynomial ax2 + bx + c, a ≠ 0, are precisely the x -coordinates of
the points where the parabola representing y = ax2 + bx + c intersects the x
-axis.From our observation earlier about the shape of the graph of y = ax2 +
bx + c, the following three cases can happen:
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 MATHEMA
24 TICS

Case (i) : Here, the graph cuts x-axis at two distinct points A and
A′.
The x-coordinates of A and A′ are the two zeroes of the quadratic
polynomial ax2 + bx + c in this case (see Fig. 2.3).Fig. 2.3Case (ii) : Here, the
graph cuts the x-axis at exactly one point, i.e., at two coincident points. So,
the two points A and A′ of Case (i) coincide here to become one point A (see
Fig. 2.4).Fig. 2.4The x -coordinate of A is the only zero for the quadratic
polynomial ax2 + bx + c in this case.
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POLYNOMIALS 25

Case (iii) : Here, the graph is either completely above the x -axis or
completely below the x -axis. So, it does not cut the x - axis at any point (see
Fig. 2.5).Fig. 2.5So, the quadratic polynomial ax2 + bx + c has no zero in this
case.So, you can see geometrically that a quadratic polynomial can have
either two distinct zeroes or two equal zeroes (i.e., one zero), or no zero.
This also means that a polynomial of degree 2 has atmost two zeroes.Now,
what do you expect the geometrical meaning of the zeroes of a cubic
polynomial to be? Let us find out. Consider the cubic polynomial x3 – 4x. To
see what the graph of y = x3 – 4x looks like, let us list a few values of y
corresponding to a few values for x as shown in Table 2.2.Table 2.2

x –2 –1 0 1 2

y = x3 – 4x 0 3 0 –3 0
Locating the points of the table on a graph paper and drawing the
graph, we see that the graph of y = x3 – 4x actually looks like the one given
in Fig. 2.6.
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26

MATHEMATICS
We see from the table Fig. 2.6Fig. 2.8
above that – 2, 0 and 2
are zeroes of the cubic
polynomial x3 – 4x.
Observe that – 2, 0 and 2
are, in fact, the x -
coordinates of the only
points where the graph of
y = x3 – 4x intersects the x
- axis. Since the curve
meets the x - axis in only
these 3 points, their x -
coordinates are the only
zeroes of the
polynomial.Let us
take a few
moreexamples.
Consider the
cubicpolynomials
x3 and x3 – x2. We drawthe
graphs of y = x3 and y = x3
– x2in Fig. 2.7 and Fig. 2.8
respectively.Fig. 2.7
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POLYNOMIALS 27

Note that 0 is the only zero of the polynomial x3. Also, from Fig. 2.7, you
can see that 0 is the x - coordinate of the only point where the graph
of y = x3 intersects the x - axis. Similarly, since x3 – x2 = x2 (x – 1), 0 and 1
are the only zeroes of the polynomial x3 – x2. Also, from Fig. 2.8, these
values are the x - coordinates of the only points where the graph of y =
x3 – x2 intersects the x -axis.From the examples above, we see that
there are at most 3 zeroes for any cubic polynomial. In other words,
any polynomial of degree 3 can have at most three zeroes.Remark : In
general, given a polynomial p(x) of degree n, the graph of y = p(x)
intersects the x -axis at atmost n points. Therefore, a polynomial p(x)
of degree n has at most n zeroes.Example 1 : Look at the graphs in Fig.
2.9 given below. Each is the graph of y = p(x), where p(x) is a
polynomial. For each of the graphs, find the number of zeroes of
p(x).Fig. 2.9Solution :The number of zeroes is 1 as the graph intersects
the x -axis at one point only.The number of zeroes is 2 as the graph
intersects the x - axis at two points.The number of zeroes is 3. (Why?)
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28 MATHEMATICSThe number of zeroes is 1. (Why?)The
number of zeroes is 1. (Why?)The number of zeroes is 4.
(Why?)EXERCISE 2.1The graphs of y = p(x) are given in Fig.
2.10 below, for some polynomials p(x). Find the number of
zeroes of p(x), in each case.Fig. 2.102.3 Relationship
between Zeroes and Coefficients of a PolynomialYou have
already seen that zero of a linear polynomial ax + b is − ba .
We will now try to answer the question raised in Section
2.1 regarding the relationship between zeroes and
coefficients of a quadratic polynomial. For this, let us take
a quadratic polynomial, say p(x) = 2x2 – 8x + 6. In Class IX,
you have learnt how to factorise quadratic polynomials by
splitting the middle term. So, here we need to split the
middle term ‘– 8x’ as a sum of two terms, whose product
is 6 × 2x2 = 12x2. So, we write2x2 – 8x + 6 = 2x2 – 6x – 2x + 6
= 2x(x – 3) – 2(x – 3)= (2x – 2)(x – 3) = 2(x – 1)(x – 3)
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POLYNOMIALS 29

So, the value of p(x) = 2x2 – 8x + 6 is zero when x – 1 = 0 or x – 3 = 0, i.e.,

when x = 1 or x = 3. So, the zeroes of 2x2 – 8x + 6 are 1 and 3. Observe that :
−(−8) = −(Coefficient ofx)
Sum of its zeroes = 1+3=4=
Coefficient
2 of x2
Constant
Product of its zeroes = 1 × 3 = 3 6 term
= = Coefficient of x2
2
Let us take one more quadratic polynomial, say, p(x) = 3x2 + 5x – 2. By
the
method of splitting the middle
term,
3x2 + 5x – 2 = 3x2 + 6x – x – 2 = 3x(x + 2) –1(x + 2)
= (3x – 1)(x + 2)
2
Hence, the value of 3x + 5x – 2 is zero when either 3x – 1 = 0 or x + 2 =
0, i.e.,
1 1
and – 2. Observe
or x = –2. So, the zeroes of that :
2
when x = 3x + 5x – 2 are 3
3
− (Coefficient of
1 − 5 = x)
+ (−2) = Coefficient of x2
Sum of its zeroes = 3 3
1 −2 Constant term
Product of its zeroes Coefficient of
= × (−2) = = x2
3 3
In general, if α* and β* are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial p(x) = ax2
+ bx + c, a ≠ 0, then you know that x – α and x – β are the factors of p(x).
Therefore,ax2 + bx + c = k(x – α) (x – β), where k is a constantk[x2 – (α
+ β)x + α β]kx2 – k(α + β)x + k α βComparing the coefficients of x2, x and
constant terms on both the sides, we geta = k, b = – k(α + β) and c = kαβ.
–b

This gives α+β= a ,

 c

αβ = a
α,β are Greek letters pronounced as ‘alpha’ and ‘beta’ respectively. We will
use later one more letter ‘γ’ pronounced as ‘gamma’.
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 MATHEMATI
30 CS

b − (Coefficient of x)
i.e., sum of zeroes = α + β = − = ,
2
a Coefficient of x

product of zeroes = αβ c Constant term

= = .
2
a Coefficient of x
Let us consider some examples.Example 2 : Find the zeroes of the quadratic
polynomial x2 + 7x + 10, and verify the relationship between the zeroes and
the coefficients.Solution : We havex2 + 7x + 10 = (x + 2)(x + 5)So, the value
of x2 + 7x + 10 is zero when x + 2 = 0 or x + 5 = 0, i.e., when x = – 2 or x = –5.
Therefore, the zeroes of x2 + 7x + 10 are – 2 and – 5. Now,
– (Coefficient of
−(7) x)
sum of zeroes = –2+ (–5) = –(7)= = ,
2
1 Coefficient of x
10 Constant term
product of zeroes
= (−2) × (−5) = 10 = 1 =Coefficient of x2 ⋅
Example 3 : Find the zeroes of the polynomial x2 – 3 and verify the
relationship between the zeroes and the coefficients.Solution : Recall the
identity a2 – b2 = (a – b)(a + b). Using it, we can write:x2 – 3 = (x− 3
)(x+ 3)

So, the value of x2 – 3 is zero when x = 3 or x = – 3⋅

Therefore, the zeroes of x2 – 3
are 3 and − 3 ⋅
Now,

− (Coefficient of x)
sum of zeroes = 3 − 3=0= ,
Coefficient of x2
Constant
product of zeroes = −3 term
( 3)(− 3) = –3= = Coefficient of 2⋅
1 x
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POLYNOMIALS 31

Example 4 : Find a quadratic polynomial, the sum and product of whose

zeroes are – 3 and 2, respectively.Solution : Let the quadratic polynomial be
ax2 + bx + c, and its zeroes be α and β. We have
−b
,
α+β= – 3 =
a

c.
and αβ= 2 = a
If a = 1, then b = 3 and c = 2.So, one quadratic polynomial which fits the
given conditions is x2 + 3x + 2.You can check that any other quadratic
polynomial that fits these conditions will be of the form k(x2 + 3x + 2), where
k is real.Let us now look at cubic polynomials. Do you think a similar relation
holds between the zeroes of a cubic polynomial and its coefficients?
Let us consider p(x) = 2x3 – 5x2 – 14x +
8.
You can check that p(x) = 0 for x = 4, – 1 Since p(x) can have atmost
2, 2⋅ three

zeroes, these are the zeores of 2x3 –

5x2 – 14x + 8. Now,
− (Coefficient
1 5 − (−5) = of x2 ) ,
sum of the zeroes = 4+(−2)+ = = x3

2 2 2 Coefficient of
− – Constant
1 8 term
product of the zeroes = 4 × (−2) × =−4= = .
3
2 2 Coefficient of x
However, there is one more relationship here. Consider the sum of the
products of the zeroes taken two at a time. We have
1 1

+
{4 × (−2)} + (−2) × ×4
2 2
Coefficient
−14 of x
= –8−1+2=−7= = x3 .
2 Coefficient
 of
In general, it can be proved that if α, β, γ are the zeroes of the cubic
polynomial ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, then
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32 MATHEMATICS–b+ β + γ = a ,cαβ + βγ + γα = a ,– dβ γ =
a .Let us consider an example.1Example 5* : Verify that 3, –1, −3
3 2
are the zeroes of the cubic polynomialp(x) = 3x – 5x – 11x – 3, and
then verify the relationship between the zeroes and the
coefficients.Solution : Comparing the given polynomial with ax3 + bx2 + cx +
d, we geta = 3, b = – 5, c = –11, d = – 3. Furtherp(3) = 3 × 33 – (5 × 32) – (11 ×
3) – 3 = 81 – 45 – 33 – 3 = 0,p(–1) = 3 × (–1)3 – 5 × (–1)2 – 11 × (–1) – 3 = –3 –
5 + 11 – 3 = 0,
1 1 3 1 2 1
−3
p
− = 3 ×− − 5 ×− −11×− ,
3 3 3 3
1 5 11 2 2
– − + −3=– + =099333
Therefore, 3, –1 and 1 are the zeroes of 3x3 – 5x2 – 11x –
− 3.
3 1
So, we take α = 3, β = –1 and γ =
− ⋅
3
Now,
1 1 5 −(−5) −b ,
=2
α+β+γ=3+(−1)+− − = = =
3 3 3 3 a
−1
1 1 1 1 c

αβ+ βγ +γα = 3× (−1) + (−1) × − + − × 3=−3+ −1 = = ,

3 3 3 3 a
1 −(−3) −d .
1
αβγ =3×(−1)× − = = =
3 3 a
Not from the examination point of view.
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POLYNOMIALS 33

EXERCISE 2.2Find the zeroes of the following quadratic polynomials and

verify the relationship between the zeroes and the coefficients.
6x2 – 3 –
2 2
(i) x – 2x – 8 (ii) 4s – 4s + 1 (iii) 7x
3x2 – x –
(iv) 4u2 + 8u (v) t2 – 15 (vi) 4
2. Find a quadratic polynomial each with the given numbers as the sum
and product of its zeroes respectively.
1 1
,
(i) −1 (ii) 2 , (iii) 0, 5
4 3
1 1
(iv) 1, 1 (v) − , (vi) 4, 1
4 4
2.4 Division Algorithm for PolynomialsYou know that a cubic polynomial
has at most three zeroes. However, if you are given only one zero, can you
find the other two? For this, let us consider the cubic polynomial x3 – 3x2 – x
+ 3. If we tell you that one of its zeroes is 1, then you know that x – 1 is a
factor of x3 – 3x2 – x + 3. So, you can divide x3 – 3x2 – x + 3 by x – 1, as you
have learnt in Class IX, to get the quotient x2 – 2x – 3.Next, you could get
the factors of x2 – 2x – 3, by splitting the middle term, as (x + 1)(x – 3). This
would give youx3 – 3x2 – x + 3 = (x – 1)(x2 – 2x – 3)= (x – 1)(x + 1)(x –
3)So, all the three zeroes of the cubic polynomial are now known to you as
1,–1,3.Let us discuss the method of dividing one polynomial by another in
some detail.Before noting the steps formally, consider an example.
Example 6 : Divide 2x2 + 3x + 1 by x + 2. 2x – 1
Solution : Note that we stop the division process
when
2 2
either the remainder is zero or its degree is less x+ x + 3x + 1
than the 2x2 + 4x

degree of the divisor. So, here the quotient is 2x – 1

and

the remainder is 3. Also,

(2x – 1)(x + 2) + 3 = 2x2 + 3x – 2 + 3 = 2x2 + 3x + 1

i.e., 2x2 + 3x + 1 = (x + 2)(2x – 1) + 3
Therefore, Dividend = Divisor × Quotient + RemainderLet us now extend this
process to divide a polynomial by a quadratic polynomial.
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34

MATHEMATICS
Example 7 : Divide 3x3 + x2 + 2x + 5 by 1 +
2
2xSolution : We first arrange the terms of + x .
the dividend and the divisor in the 3x – 5
2 3
decreasing order of their degrees. Recall x + 2x + 13x + 6x2 +3x–
that arranging the terms in this order is – ––5x2 – x + 5+
called writing the polynomials in standard + +9x + 10
form. In this example, the dividend is
already in standard form, and the divisor, in
standard form, is x2 + 2x + 1.
Step 1 : To obtain the first term of the quotient, divide the highest degree
term of the dividend (i.e., 3x3) by the highest degree term of the divisor (i.e.,
x2). This is 3x. Then carry out the division process. What remains is – 5x2 – x
+ 5.Step 2 : Now, to obtain the second term of the quotient, divide the
highest degree term of the new dividend (i.e., –5x2) by the highest degree
term of the divisor (i.e., x2). This gives –5. Again carry out the division
process with – 5x2 – x + 5.Step 3 : What remains is 9x + 10. Now, the degree
of 9x + 10 is less than the degree of the divisor x2 + 2x + 1. So, we cannot
continue the division any further.So, the quotient is 3x – 5 and the
remainder is 9x + 10. Also,(x2 + 2x + 1) × (3x – 5) + (9x + 10) = 3x3 + 6x2 + 3x –
5x2 – 10x – 5 + 9x + 10= 3x3 + x2 + 2x + 5Here again, we see thatDividend =
Divisor × Quotient + RemainderWhat we are applying here is an algorithm
which is similar to Euclid’s division algorithm that you studied in Chapter
1.This says thatIf p(x) and g(x) are any two polynomials with g(x) ≠ 0, then
we can find polynomials q(x) and r(x) such thatp(x) = g(x) × q(x) +
r(x),where r(x) = 0 or degree of r(x) < degree of g(x).This result is known as
the Division Algorithm for polynomials.Let us now take some examples to
illustrate its use.Example 8 : Divide 3x2 – x3 – 3x + 5 by x – 1 – x2, and verify
the division algorithm.
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POLYNOMIALS 35

Solution : Note that the given polynomials are not in standard form. To
carry out division, we first write both the dividend and divisor in decreasing
orders of their degrees.So, dividend = –x 3 + 3x2 – 3x + 5 and divisor = –x2 + x
– 1.Division process is shown on the right side.We stop here since degree
(3) = 0 < 2 = degree (–x2 + x – 1).So, quotient = x – 2, remainder =
3.Now,Divisor × Quotient + Remainder(–x2 + x – 1) (x – 2) + 3–x3 + x2 – x +
2x2 – 2x + 2 + 3–x3 + 3x2 – 3x + 5DividendIn this way, the division algorithm
is verified.Example 9 : Find all the zeroes of 2x4 – 3x3 – 3x2 + 6x – 2, if you
know that two of its zeroes are 2 and − 2 .Solution : Since two zeroes are 2
and − 2 , ( x − 2 ) ( x + 2 ) = x2 – 2 is a factor of the given polynomial. Now, we
divide the given polynomial by x2 – 2.4 2x 2
Second term of quotient −3x3
is = − 3x
2
x
=1
x2Third term of quotient is x2
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36 MATHEMATICSSo, 2x4 – 3x3 – 3x2 + 6x – 2 = (x2 – 2)(2x2 – 3x +
1).Now, by splitting –3x, we factorise 2x2 – 3x + 1 as (2x – 1)(x – 1). So, its
zeroes1are given by x = 2 and x = 1. Therefore, the zeroes of the given
polynomial are12, − 2, ,
and 1.EXERCISE 2.3Divide the
polynomial p(x) by the polynomial g(x) and find the quotient and remainder
in each of the following :
p(x) = x3 – + 5x –
(i) 3x2 3, g(x) = x2 – 2
p(x) = – + 4x + g(x) = x2 + 1 –
(ii) x4 3x2 5, x
p(x) =
(iii) x4 – 5x + 6, g(x) = 2 – x2
Check whether the first polynomial is a factor of the second polynomial by
dividing the second polynomial by the first polynomial:t2 – 3, 2t4 + 3t3 – 2t2 –
9t – 12x2 + 3x + 1, 3x4 + 5x3 – 7x2 + 2x + 2x3 – 3x + 1, x5 – 4x3 + x2 + 3x + 1
3. Obtain all other zeroes of 3x4 + 6x3 – 2x2 – 10x – 5, if two of its 5 5
zeroes are and – ⋅
3 3
On dividing x3 – 3x2 + x + 2 by a polynomial g(x), the quotient and remainder
were x – 2 and –2x + 4, respectively. Find g(x).Give examples of polynomials
p(x), g(x), q(x) and r(x), which satisfy the division algorithm and(i) deg p(x) =
deg q(x) (ii) deg q(x) = deg r(x) (iii) deg r (x) = 0EXERCISE 2.4
(Optional)*Verify that the numbers given alongside of the cubic
polynomials below are their zeroes. Also verify the relationship between the
zeroes and the coefficients in each case:
(i) 2x3 + x2 – 5x + 1 (ii) x3 – 4x2 + 5x – 2; 2,
,
2; 1, –2 1, 1
2
Find a cubic polynomial with the sum, sum of the product of its zeroes
taken two at a time, and the product of its zeroes as 2, –7, –14
respectively.*These exercises are not from the examination point of view.
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POLYNOMIALS 37

If the zeroes of the polynomial x3 – 3x2 + x + 1 are a – b, a, a + b, find a and

b.4. If two zeroes of the polynomial x4 – 6x3 – 26x2 + 138x – 35 are 2 ± 3 ,
find other zeroes.If the polynomial x4 – 6x3 + 16x2 – 25x + 10 is divided by
another polynomial x2 – 2x + k, the remainder comes out to be x + a, find k
and a.2.5 SummaryIn this chapter, you have studied the following
points:Polynomials of degrees 1, 2 and 3 are called linear, quadratic and
cubic polynomials respectively.A quadratic polynomial in x with real
coefficients is of the form ax2 + bx + c, where a, b, c are real numbers with a
≠ 0.The zeroes of a polynomial p(x) are precisely the x -coordinates of the
points, where the graph of y = p(x) intersects the x - axis.A quadratic
polynomial can have at most 2 zeroes and a cubic polynomial can have at
most 3 zeroes.If α and β are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial ax2 + bx
+ c, then
α+β=− b , αβ = c
a a.
If α, β, γ are the zeroes of the cubic polynomial ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, then
−b
α+β+γ= ,
a

c
αβ+ βγ+ γα = ,
a

−d
and αβγ = .
a
The division algorithm states that given any polynomial p(x) and any
non-zero polynomial g(x), there are polynomials q(x) and r(x) such
thatp(x) = g(x) q(x) + r(x),where r(x) = 0 or degree r(x) < degree g(x).
2019-20