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POLYNOMIALS
2 10th Class - Mathematics
Geometrical Meaning of the Zeroes of a
 Degree
 of a Polynomial: The degree of a Polynomial
polynomial p(x) in x is the highest power of  Let
 p(x) be any polynomial. Then, the num-
x in p(x). ber of those points in which the graph y=p(x)

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Ex: The degrees of the polynomials intersects the X-axis is called the number of
1 3 zeroes of the polynomial, the x-coordinates of

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3 x + , 2 y 2 − y + 7, 5 x 3 − 3 x + 7
2 2 these points are called the zeroes of the poly-
are 1, 2, 3 respectively. nomial p(x).
 A polynomial
 of degree zero is called a con-  Graph
 of a linear polynomial ax+b, a ≠ 0 is a

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stant polynomial. straight line and it intersects X-axis at only
3 one point.

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Ex: p(x) = 7, q( x ) = − 2 etc.,  Graph of a quadratic polynomial ax2 + bx + c, a

 A polynomial
 of degree 1 is called a linear ≠ 0 is a parabola and it intersects X-axis at most
two points.
polynomial.
Ex: p(x) = ax + b, a ≠ 0, q(t) = √3t + 5
 A polynomial of degree 2 is called a quadratic

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 Graph of a cubic polynomial ax3 + bx2 + cx +

d, a ≠ 0 intersects X-axis at most three points.
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polynomial.
Relation Between Zeroes and coefficients of
Ex: p(x) = ax2 + bx + c, a ≠ 0, q(y) = 2y2 – 3
a polynomial
 A polynomial of degree 3 is called a cubic

i) If the zero of the linear polynomial ax + b, a
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polynomial.
−b
Ex: p(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, a ≠ 0 ≠ 0 is α, then α =
a
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q(u) = 2u3 – 4u2 + 7u – 5

ii) If α, β are the zeroes of the quadratic poly-
 Value of a polynomial

nomial ax2 + bx + c, a ≠ 0, then
The value of the polynomial p(x) at x = k is
sum of the zeroes α + β = −b
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p(k). a
Ex: The value of p(x) = x2 – 2x + 1 at c
product of the zeroes = αβ =
x = 2 is p(2) = 22 – 2(2) + 1 = 1 a
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 Zero of a polynomial:
 iii) If α, β, γ are the zeroes of the cubic polyno-
mial
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A real number k is said to be a zero of the

polynomial p(x) if p(k) = 0 ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, a ≠ 0 then
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 A linear polynomial has only one zero.

 −b c −d
α +β+ γ = , αβ + βγ + γα = , αβγ =
 A quadratic polynomial has at most two
 a a a
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zeroes.  A quadratic
 polynomial whose zeroes are
 A cubic polynomial has at most three zeroes.
 α, β is K (x2 – (α + β) x + αβ), K is constant
 A cubic polynomial whose zeroes are α, β


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POLYNOMIALS 2 10th Class - Mathematics

and γ is K(x3 – (α + β + γ ) x2 + (αβ + βγ + p(–3) = (–3)2 – (–3) –12 = 0
γα) x – αβγ), K is constant. p(4) = 42 – 4 – 12 = 0
we see that p(–3) = 0, p(4) =0
Division Algorithm for polynomials
∴ – 3, 4 are the zeroes of x2 – x – 12.
Let p(x) and g(x) be any two polynomials

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5. Write a quadratic polynomial, cubic polyno-
where g(x) ≠ 0, then
on dividing p(x) by g(x), we can find two poly- mial in variable x in the general form.

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nomials q(x) and r(x) such that Sol: The general form of a quadratic polynomial is
p(x) = g(x). q(x) + r(x), where either r(x) = 0 or ax2 + bx + c, a ≠ 0.
degree of r(x) < degree of g(x) The general form of a cubic polynomial is

n.
This result is known as '' Division Algorithm'' ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, a ≠ 0
Note: If r(x) = 0, then g(x) will be a factor of p(x)

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6. The graph of y = p(x) is given in the figure.
2 Marks Questions Find the number of zeroes of p(x).
1. Check whether – 2, 4 are the zeroes of the X
polynomial x2 – 2x – 8.
Sol: Let the given polynomial p(x) = x2–2x–8
ca o
y = P(x)
Y
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p(–2) = (–2)2 – 2(–2) – 8 = 0
p(4) = 42 – 2 × 4 – 8 = 0 Sol: The number of zeroes are 3 as the graph inter-
We see that p(–2) = 0, p(4) = 0 sects the X-axis at 3 points only.
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7. What are the values of P x = x 2 − 2 x − 3

∴ – 2, 4 are zeroes of x2 – 2x – 8. ( )
2. If p(x) = 2x5 – 5x4 + 3x3 + 7x – 5 then find at x = 3, – 1 and 2
Sol: P (x ) = x 2 − 2 x − 3
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i) degree of p(x)
ii) coefficient of x4 P (3) = 32 − 2 × 3 − 3 = 9 − 6 − 3 = 9 − 9 = 0
P (−1) = (−1) − 2 (−1) − 3 = 1 + 2 − 3 = 3 − 3 = 0
2
Sol: i) The highest power of x in p(x) is called the
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degree of p(x) P (2 ) = 22 − 2 × 2 − 3 = 4 − 4 − 3 = − 3
∴ Degree of p(x)
= 2x5 – 5x4 + 3x3 + 7x – 5 is 5 8. Find the sum and product of zeroes of the
.s

ii. coefficient of x4 is – 5 quadratic polynomial 6x2 – 3 – 7x.

3. If p(m) = m2 – 3m + 1, Find the value of p(1), Sol: comparing 6x2 – 7x – 3 with ax2 + bx +c
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p(–1). a = 6, b = −7, c = −3
Sol: p(1) = 12 – 3 × 1 +1 = – 1 sum of the zeroes α + β = −b = − (−7) = 7
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p(–1) = (–1)2 – 3 (–1) +1 = 5 a 6 6

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4. Check whether – 3, 4 are the zeroes of the c −3 −1

product of the zeroes αβ = = =
polynomial x2 – x – 12. a 6 2
Sol: Let p(x) = x2 – x – 12 be given polynomial

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POLYNOMIALS 2 10th Class - Mathematics

αβ = 2.
4 Mark Questions The required polynomial is K{x2– (α+ β)x
1. If p(x) = x3 – x2 + 7, find the values of p(1), +αβ},
p(–1), p(2), p(–2) where K is a constant.

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Sol: p(x) = x3 – x2 + 7 K{x2 – (–3) x + 2}
p(1) = 13 – 12 + 7 = 7 ⇒ K{x2 + 3x + 2}, where K is a constant.

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p(2) = 23 – 22 + 7 = 11 5. Find the zeroes of the polynomial
p(–1) = (–1)3 – (–1)2 +7 = 5 f ( x) = 4 3 x 2 + 5x − 2 3
p(–2) = (–2)3– (–2)2 + 7 = –5. verify the relationship between the zeroes its

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2. Find the zeroes of the polynomial 3x2 – x – 4. coefficients.
Sol: Let p(x) = 3x2 – x – 4. Sol: f ( x ) = 4 3 x 2 + 5 x − 2 3

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By the method of splitting the middle term. = 4 3 x 2 + 8 x − 3x − 2 3
3x2 – x – 4 = 3x2 – 4x + 3x – 4 = 4x ( 3 x + 2 )− 3 ( 3 x + 2 )
= x(3x – 4) + 1(3x – 4) = (3x – 4) (x + 1)
For zeroes of p(x), p(x) = 0
i.e., (3x–4) (x+1) = 0
ca = ( 3 x + 2 )(4 x − 3 )

The zeroes of f(x) are given by

( 3 x + 2 )(4 x − 3 )= 0
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(3x–4) = 0, (x+1) = 0 F ( x) = 0 ⇒
4
x= , x = –1
3 −2 3 −2 3
⇒x= or Let α = β=
3 4 3 4
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∴ So the zeroes of 3x2 – x – 4 are 4/3 and –1

3. Find the zeroes of polynomial f(x) = 6x2 – x – 2. −2 3 −5
sum of the zeroes = α + β = + =
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Sol: The zeroes of f(x) are given by f(x) = 0 3 4 4 3

⇒ 6x2 – x – 2 = 0 − coefficient of x
=
coefficient of x 2
6x2 – 4x + 3x – 2 = 0
product of zeroes
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2x(3x – 2) +1 (3x – 2) = 0
(3x – 2) (2x + 1) = 0 −2 3 −2 3 cons tan t term
= αβ = . = =
3x – 2 = 0 or 2x + 1 = 0 3 4 4 3 coefficient of x 2
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2 −1 6. Find a quadratic polynomial if the zeroes of it

x= or
3 2 are 2 – √3, 2 + √3.
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−1 2 Sol: Let the zeroes are α = 2 – √3, β = 2 + √3

Hence the zeroes of 6x2 – x – 2 are ,
2 3 sum of zeroes = α + β = (2 – √3) + (2 + √3) = 4
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4. Find a quadratic polynomial, the sum, product product of zeroes = αβ

= (2 – √3) (2 + √3) = 1
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of whose zeroes are – 3, 2 respectively.

.
Sol: Let zeroes of required polynomial are α, β . . The required quadratic polynomial is
given α + β = –3, K{x2 – (α + β) x + αβ}
= K{x2 – 4x + 1}, K ≠ 0

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POLYNOMIALS 2 10th Class - Mathematics

7. If the zeroes of the polynomial x3 – 14x2 + 37 9. Find the quadratic polynomial whose zeroes
x – 60 are α, β, γ then find are 1 and − 1
4
i) α + β + γ ii) αβ + βγ + γα iii) αβγ
1
Sol: Let the zeroes α = , β = −1

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Sol: Comparing the given polynomial with 4

ax3+ bx2 + cx + d Sum of the zeroes

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we get a=1, b = –14, c = 37, d = – 60 1 1 − 4 −3
= α + β = + (− 1) = =
4 4 4
− b − (−14 ) ⎛ ⎞ 1 1
product of the zeroes = αβ = ⎜⎝ 4 ⎟⎠ (−1) = − 4
i. α + β + γ = = = 14

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a 1
c 37
ii. αβ + βγ + γα = = = 37 quadratic polynomial whose zeroes are α, β is
a 1

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−d −( −60) k[x2 – (α + β) x + αβ], k is constant
iii. αβγ = = = 60 1
a 1 quadratic polynomial whose zeroes are 4 , −1
8. Find the number of zeroes of the given poly- is k ⎡ x 2 − ⎛ −3 ⎞ x + ⎛ − 1 ⎞ ⎤ , k is constant.
nomials and also find their values

i) p(x) = 2x + 1 ii) q(y) = y2 – 1 iii) r(z) = z3

ca ⎛
⎢
⎣
3
⎜ ⎟
⎝ 4 ⎠
1⎞
⎜
⎝ 4⎠
⎟⎥

k ⎜ x 2 + x + ⎟ , k is constant
⎦

⎝ 4 4⎠
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Sol: (i) p(x) = 2x+1 is a linear polynomial. It has 10. Write the answers by observing the graph
only one zero. i) What is the shape of the graph
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To find zeroes Let P(x) = 0, 2x + 1 = 0, ii) How many zeroes are there for the polyno-
1
x=− mial
2
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iii) Write the points of intersection of graph and

∴ The zero of the given linear polynomial is − 1 X-axis
2
iv) Find the zeroes of the polynomial
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(ii) q(y) = y2 – 1 is a quadratic polynomial

It has atmost two zeroes
To find zeroes, let q(y) = 0, y2 – 1 = 0,
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(y – 1) (y + 1) = 0, y – 1 = 0, y + 1 = 0,
y = 1, y = –1
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∴ The zeroes of the given quadratic

polynomials are –1, 1
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(iii) r(2) = z3 is a cubic polynomial. It has

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atmost three zeroes. Sol: (i) Parabola (ii) Two

To find zeroes let r(z) = 0, z3 = 0, z = 0 (iii) (–2 , 0), (1 , 0) (iv) –2, 1
The zero of the given cubic polynomial is '0'

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POLYNOMIALS 2 10th Class - Mathematics

we take α = 1, β = – 1, γ = 3
8 Marks Questions comparing given polynomial x3 – 3x2 – x + 3
1. Verify that 1, – 1 and 3 are the zeroes of the with ax3 + bx2 + cx + d,
cubic polynomial x3 – 3x2 – x + 3 and check the we get a = 1, b = –3, c = –1, d = 3

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relationship between zeroes and the coefficients −(−3) −b
α + β + γ = 1 + (–1) +3 = 3 = =
Sol: P(x) = x3 – 3x2 – x + 3 1 a
P(1) = 13 – 3(1)2 – 1 + 3 = 1 – 3 – 1 + 3 = 0

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. αβ + βγ + γα = (1) (−1) + (−1) (3) + (3) (1)
P(–1) = (–1)3 – 3(–1)2 – (– 1) + 3
=–1–3+1+3=0 −1 c
=–1–3+3=–1= =
P(3) = 33 – 3(3)2 – 3 + 3= 27 – 27 – 3 + 3 = 0 1 a

n.
Since P(1) = 0, P(–1) = 0, P(3) = 0 −(−3) − d
αβγ = (1) (−1) (3) = − 3 = =
1, –1, 3 are the zeroes of given polynomial 1 a

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2. The graph of y = p(x) are given below. Find the zeroes of p(x), in each case.

Sol:
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ak
.s
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i) No zeroes, as the graph not intersect x-axis at any point

ii) The number of zeroes is 1 as the graph intersects the x-axis at the one point only.
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iii) The number of zeroes is 3, as the graph intersects the x-axis at three points
iv) the number of zeroes is 2, as the graph intersects the x-axis at two points.
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v) the number of zeroes is 4, as the graph intersects the x-axis at four points
vi) the number of zeroes is 3, as the graph intersect the x-axis at one point and touches x -
axis at two points

10

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