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Factor and Remainder Theorem: Past Paper Questions

1 Given that 4x
4 0 12x
3 0 b
2
x
2 0 7bx 0 2 is exactly divisible by 2x ! b,

(i) show that 3b
3 ! 7b
2 0 4 # 0, [2]

(ii) find the possible values of b. [5]

4037/2/M/J/03
2 The remainder when 2x3 + 2x2 – 13x + 12 is divided by x + a is three times the remainder when it
is divided by x – a.

(i) Show that 2a3 + a2 – 13a + 6 = 0. [3]

(ii) Solve this equation completely. [5]

4037/01/M/J/05
3 Solve the equation 2x3 + 3x2 – 32x + 15 = 0. [6]

4037/01/M/J/09
4 Solve the equation 3x(x2 + 6) = 8 – 17x2. [6]

4037/11/M/J/10
5 The expression 6x3 + ax2 – (a + 1)x + b has a remainder of 15 when divided by x + 2 and a remainder
of 24 when divided by x + 1. Show that a = 8 and find the value of b. [5]

4037/12/M/J/10
6 It is given that x – 1 is a factor of f(x), where f(x) = x3 – 6x2 + ax + b.

(i) Express b in terms of a. [2]

(ii) Show that the remainder when f(x) is divided by x – 3 is twice the remainder when f(x) is divided
by x – 2. [4]

4037/21/M/J/10
7 Solve the equation 2x3 – 3x2 – 11x + 6 = 0. [6]

4037/22/M/J/10
8 (i) Show that 2x – 1 is a factor of 2x3 – 5x2 + 10x – 4. [2]

(ii) Hence show that 2x3 – 5x2 + 10x – 4 = 0 has only one real root and state the value of this
root. [4]

4037/12/M/J/11
9 The expression x3 + 8x2 + px – 25 leaves a remainder of R when divided by x – 1 and a
remainder of –R when divided by x + 2.

(i) Find the value of p. [4]

(ii) Hence find the remainder when the expression is divided by x + 3. [2]

4037/21/M/J/11
10 The expression 2x3 + ax2 + bx – 30 is divisible by x + 2 and leaves a remainder of –35
aaaaaawhen divided by 2x – 1. Find the values of the constants a and b.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa[5]

4037/11/M/J/12
11 It is given that x – 2 is a factor of f(x) = x3 + kx2 – 8x – 8.

(i) Find the value of the integer k. [2]

(ii) Using your value of k, find the non-integer roots of the equation f(x) = 0 in the
form a ± b , where a and b are integers. [5]

4037/22/M/J/12
12 Itisgiventhatf(x)=6x3–5x2+ax+bhasafactorofx+2andleavesaremainderof27
whendividedbyx–1.

(i) Showthatb=40andfindthevalueofa. [4]

(ii) Showthatf(x)=(x+2)(px2+qx+r),wherep,qandrareintegerstobefound. [2]

(iii) Hencesolvef(x)=0. [2]

4037/12/M/J/13
13 The function f (x) = x3 + x2 + ax + b is divisible by x - 3 and leaves a remainder
of 20 when divided by x + 1.

(i) Show that b = 6 and find the value of a. [4]

(ii) Using your value of a and taking b as 6, find the non-integer roots of the equation f (x) = 0
in the form p ! q , where p and q are integers. [5]

4037/21/M/J/13
14 The expression 2x3 + ax2 + bx + 12 has a factor x - 4 and leaves a remainder of -12 when divided by
x - 1. Find the value of each of the constants a and b. [5]

4037/21/M/J/14
15 (i) Given that x + 1 is a factor of 3x3 - 14x2 - 7x + d , show that d = 10. [1]

(ii) Show that 3x 3 - 14x 2 - 7x + 10 can be written in the form ^x + 1h^ax 2 + bx + ch, where a, b
and c are constants to be found. [2]

(iii) Hence solve the equation 3x 3 - 14x 2 - 7x + 10 = 0 . [2]

4037/22/M/J/14
16 The polynomial f^xh = ax3 - 15x2 + bx - 2 has a factor of 2x - 1 and a remainder of 5 when
divided by x - 1.

(i) Show that b = 8 and find the value of a. [4]

(ii) Using the values of a and b from part (i), express f ^xh in the form ^2x - 1h g ^xh, where g ^xh is a
quadratic factor to be found. [2]

(iii) Show that the equation f ^xh = 0 has only one real root. [2]

4037/11/M/J/15
17 (i) Show that x = –2 is a root of the polynomial equation 15x3 + 26x2 - 11x - 6 = 0. [1]

(ii) Find the remainder when 15x 3 + 26x 2 - 11x - 6 is divided by x – 3. [2]

(iii) Find the value of p and of q such that 15x 3 + 26x 2 - 11x - 6 is a factor of
15x 4 + px 3 - 37x 2 + qx + 6 . [4]

4037/22/M/J/15
18 Do not use a calculator in this question.

The polynomial p (x) = 2x 3 - 3x 2 + qx + 56 has a factor x – 2.

(i) Show that q = −30. [1]

(ii) Factorise p (x) completely and hence state all the solutions of p (x) = 0 . [4]

4037/22/M/J/16
19 Without using a calculator, factorise the expression 10 x 3 - 21x 2 + 4. [5]

4037/22/M/J/17
20 Do not use a calculator in this question.

It is given that x + 4 is a factor of p ^xh = 2x 3 + 3x 2 + ax - 12 . When p ^xh is divided by x - 1 the

(i) Show that a =- 23 and find the value of the constant b. [2]

(ii) Factorise p ^xh completely and hence state all the solutions of p ^xh = 0 . [4]

4037/21/M/J/18
21aa It is given that x + 3 is a factor of the polynomial p (x) = 2x 3 + ax 2 - 24x + b. The remainder when
aaaaap (x) is divided by x − 2 is −15. Find the remainder when p (x) is divided by x + 1. [6]

4037/22/M/J/18
22 (i) Given that x - 2 is a factor of ax 3 - 12x 2 + 5x + 6 , use the factor theorem to show that a = 4. [2]

(ii) Showing all your working, factorise 4x 3 - 12x 2 + 5x + 6 and hence solve 4x 3 - 12x 2 + 5x + 6 = 0 .
[4]

4037/22/M/J/19
23 DO NOT USE A CALCULATOR IN THIS QUESTION.

p (x) = 15x 3 + 22x 2 - 15x + 2

(a) Find the remainder when p(x) is divided by x + 1. [2]

(b) (i) Show that x + 2 is a factor of p(x) . [1]

(ii) Write p(x) as a product of linear factors. [3]

4037/21/M/J/20
24 The polynomial p (x) = ax 3 - 9x 2 + bx - 6 , where a and b are constants, has a factor of x - 2. The
polynomial has a remainder of 66 when divided by x - 3.

(a) Find the value of a and of b. [4]

(b) Using your values of a and b, show that p (x) = (x - 2) q (x) , where q (x) is a quadratic factor to be
found. [2]

(c) Hence show that the equation p (x) = 0 has only one real solution. [2]

4037/11/M/J/21
25 The polynomial p (x) = mx 3 - 29x 2 + 39x + n, where m and n are constants, has a factor 3x - 1,
aaaaaaand remainder 6 when divided by x - 1. Show that x - 2 is a factor of p (x).aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa[6]

4037/22/M/J/21
26 The cubic polynomial f(x) is such that the coefficient of x3 is –1 and the roots of the equation f(x) = 0
are 1, 2 and k. Given that f(x) has a remainder of 8 when divided by x – 3, find

(i) the value of k,

4037/2/O/N/02
27 The expression x
3 ! ax
2 ! bx 0 3, where a and b are constants, has a factor of x 0 3 and leaves
aaaaaaa remainder of 15 when divided by x ! 2. Find the value of a and ofab.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa[5]

4037/1/O/N/03
28 Given that 6x3 + 5ax – 12a leaves a remainder of –4 when divided by x – a, find the possible
aaaaavalues of a.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa[7]

4037/02/O/N/04
29 The cubic polynomial f(x) is such that the coefficient of x3 is 1 and the roots of f(x) = 0 are 1, k and k2.
It is given that f(x) has a remainder of 7 when divided by x – 2.

(i) Show that k3 – 2k2 – 2k – 3 = 0. [3]

(ii) Hence find a value for k and show that there are no other real values of k which satisfy this
equation. [5]

4037/01/O/N/06
30 (a) The remainder when the expression x3 – 11x2 + kx – 30 is divided by x – 1 is 4 times
aaaaaaaaaathe remainder when this expression is divided by x – 2. Find the value of the constant k.a[4]

(b) Solve the equation x3 – 4x2 – 8x + 8 = 0, expressing non-integer solutions in the form
a ± b, where a and b are integers. [5]

4037/01/O/N/07
31 A function f is such that f(x) = ax3 + bx2 + 3x + 4. When f(x) is divided by x – 1, the remainder
is 3. When f(x) is divided by 2x + 1, the remainder is 6. Find the value of a and of b. [5]

4037/01/O/N/08
32 Given that f (x) = 2x3 – 7x2 + 7ax + 16 is divisible by x – a, find

(i) the value of the constant a, [2]

(ii) the remainder when f (x) is divided by 2x + 1. [2]

4037/01/O/N/09
33 Factorise completely the expression 2x3 – 11x2 – 20x – 7. [5]

4037/11/O/N/10
34 The remainder when the expression x3 + kx2 – 5x – 3 is divided by x – 2 is 5 times the remainder
aaaaawhen the expression is divided by x + 1. Find the value of k.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa[4]

4037/13/O/N/10
35 The expression x3 + ax2 – 15x + b has a factor x – 2 and leaves a remainder of 75 when divided
aaaaaaby x + 3. Find the value of a and of b.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa[5]

4037/22/O/N/10
36 The function f is such that f(x) = 4x3 – 8x2 + ax + b, where a and b are constants. It is given
that 2x – 1 is a factor of f(x) and that when f(x) is divided by x + 2 the remainder is 20. Find the
remainder when f(x) is divided by x – 1. [6]

4037/11/O/N/11
37 It is given that 2x – 1 is a factor of the expression 4x3 + ax2 – 11x + b and that the remainder
when the expression is divided by x + 2 is 25. Find the remainder when the expression is divided
by x + 1. [6]

4037/22/O/N/11
38 (i) Given that 3x3 + 5x2 + px + 8 ⬅ (x – 2)(ax2 + bx + c), find the value of each of the
aaaaaaaaaaintegers a, b, c and p.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa[5]

(ii) Using the values found in part (i), factorise completely 3x3 + 5x2 + px + 8. [2]

4037/13/O/N/12
39 Thefunctionf (x) = ax3 + 4x2 + bx - 2 ,whereaandbareconstants,issuchthat 2x - 1isa
factor.Giventhattheremainderwhen f (x) isdividedby x - 2 istwicetheremainderwhen f (x) 
isdividedby x + 1,findthevalueofaandofb. [6]

4037/12/O/N/13
40 The expression 2x3 + ax2 + bx + 21 has a factor x + 3 and leaves a remainder of 65 when
divided by x – 2.

(i) Find the value of a and of b. [5]

(ii) Hence find the value of the remainder when the expression is divided by 2x + 1. [2]

4037/23/O/N/13
41 (i) Show that x - 2 is a factor of 3x3 - 14x2 + 32. [1]

(ii) Hence factorise 3x 3 - 14x 2 + 32 completely. [4]

4037/22/O/N/14
42 The expression f^xh = 3x3 + 8x2 - 33x + p has a factor of x - 2.

(i) Show that p = 10 and express f ^xh as a product of a linear factor and a quadratic factor. [4]

(ii) Hence solve the equation f (x) = 0 . [2]

4037/23/O/N/14
43 Itisgiventhatf (x) = 4x3 - 4x2 - 15x + 18.

(i) Showthat x + 2 isafactorof f (x) . [1]

(ii) Hencefactorise f (x) completelyandsolvetheequation f (x) = 0 . [4]

4037/22/O/N/15
44 The roots of the equation x3 + ax2 + bx + c = 0 are 1, 3 and 3. Show that c = –9 and find the
value of a and of b. [4]

4037/23/O/N/15
45 The cubic given by p (x) = x3 + ax + bx - 24 is divisible by x - 2 . When p (x) is divided by x - 1
2

the remainder is - 20 .

(i) Form a pair of equations in a and b and solve them to find the value of a and of b. [4]

(ii) Factorise p (x) completely and hence solve p (x) = 0 . [4]

4037/23/O/N/16
46 A polynomial p ^xh is ax3 + 8x 2 + bx + 5, where a and b are integers. It is given that 2x - 1 is a
factor of p ^xh and that a remainder of –25 is obtained when p ^xh is divided by x + 2.

(i) Find the value of a and of b. [5]

(ii) Using your values of a and b, find the exact solutions of p ^xh = 5. [2]

4037/12/O/N/17
47 The polynomial p (x) = ax 3 + 17x 2 + bx - 8 is divisible by 2x - 1 and has a remainder of -35 when
divided by x + 3.

(i) By finding the value of each of the constants a and b, verify that a = b . [4]

Using your values of a and b,

(ii) find p (x) in the form (2x - 1) q (x) , where q (x) is a quadratic expression, [2]

4037/13/O/N/18
48 (a) The cubic equation x 3 + ax 2 + bx - 40 = 0 has three positive integer roots. Two of the roots
aaaaaaaaaaaare 2 and 4. Find the other root and the value of each of the integers a and b. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa[4]

(b) Do not use a calculator in this question.

Solve the equation x 3 - 5x 2 - 46x - 40 = 0 given that it has three integer roots, only one of which is
positive. [4]

4037/22/O/N/19
49

(i) Find the value of p. [1]

(ii) Show that a =-1 and find the value of b. [4]

4037/23/O/N/19
50

(a) Given that p (1) =- 2p (0) , find the value of a and of b. [4]

(b) Using your values of a and b,

(i) find the remainder when p (x) is divided by 2x - 1, [2]

(ii) factorise p (x) . [2]

4037/12/O/N/20
51 The polynomial p (x) = ax 3 + bx 2 - 19x + 4, where a and b are constants, has a factor x + 4 and is
such that 2p (1) = 5p (0) .

(a) Show that p (x) = (x + 4) (Ax 2 + Bx + C) , where A, B and C are integers to be found. [6]

(b) Hence factorise p (x) . [1]

(c) Find the remainder when p (x) is divided by x. [1]

4037/13/O/N/20