A-Level Maths

Practice by topic

Polynomials in ℂ practice questions — A-Level Maths

16 free multiple-choice problems on polynomials in ℂ, ordered to match A-Level Maths difficulty, each with a full worked solution. No account needed — and there's a fresh problem set every day.

Try 3 problems from this chapter

1 / 3
Problem #0449 International
Advancedpolynomials
The number of real solutions of is:

Problems & worked solutions

Problem #0449 International

Problem 1 Polynomials in ℂ

The number of real solutions of X45X2+4=0 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 1
  2. B. 2
  3. C. 3
  4. D. 4✓ correct

With Y=X2: Y25Y+4=0Y{1,4}. Then X2=1X=±1 and X2=4X=±2. Four real solutions.

Problem #0450 International

Problem 2 Polynomials in ℂ

For which value of mR is X=2 a root of P(X)=X3mX+4?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 6
  2. B. 4
  3. C. 6✓ correct
  4. D. 8

P(2)=82m+4=122m=0m=6.

Problem #0916 US SAT

Problem 3 Polynomials in ℂ

Dividing x25x+6 by (x2) gives the quotient:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. x6
  2. B. x+3
  3. C. x3✓ correct
  4. D. x2

x25x+6=(x2)(x3).

So x25x+6x2=x3, with no remainder.

Problem #0905 US Honors

Problem 4 Polynomials in ℂ

The polynomial p(x)=2x33x211x+6 has x=3 and x=2 as roots. What is its third root?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 12✓ correct
  2. B. 12
  3. C. 1
  4. D. 3

For p(x)=2x33x211x+6, the product of the three roots is r1r2r3=da=62=3. Substituting the two known roots r1=3 and r2=2, 3(2)r3=3. Solving for the third root, r3=36=12.

Problem #0915 US SAT

Problem 5 Polynomials in ℂ

Expand (x+2)(x5).

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. x23x10
  2. B. x23x10✓ correct
  3. C. x2+3x+10
  4. D. x27x10

(x+2)(x5)=x25x+2x10=x23x10.

Problem #0444 International

Problem 6 Polynomials in ℂ

The remainder of the division of P(X)=X3+2X2X+5 by X1 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 0
  2. B. 5
  3. C. 7✓ correct
  4. D. 9

P(1)=1+21+5=7.

Problem #0448 International

Problem 7 Polynomials in ℂ

The polynomial P(X)=X3X24X+4 factors as:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. (X1)(X2)(X+2)✓ correct
  2. B. (X+1)(X2)(X+2)
  3. C. (X1)2(X+4)
  4. D. (X1)(X+2)2

P(1)=0, so X1 divides P. By Horner: P(X)=(X1)(X24)=(X1)(X2)(X+2).

Problem #0446 International

Problem 8 Polynomials in ℂ

For P(X)=X36X2+11X6 with roots x1,x2,x3, the value of x1+x2+x3 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 11
  2. B. 6
  3. C. 6✓ correct
  4. D. 11

The leading coefficient is 1 and the coefficient of X2 is 6, so x1+x2+x3=(6)=6. (The roots are in fact 1,2,3.)

Problem #0445 International

Problem 9 Polynomials in ℂ

The quotient when P(X)=X34X2+5X2 is divided by X2 has degree:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 1
  2. B. 2✓ correct
  3. C. 3
  4. D. 4

deg(Q)=31=2.

Problem #0914 US SAT

Problem 10 Polynomials in ℂ

Factor over R: x29.

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. (x3)(x+3)✓ correct
  2. B. (x3)2
  3. C. (x+3)2
  4. D. (x9)(x+1)

x29=x232=(x3)(x+3) — the difference-of-squares identity.

6 more Polynomials in ℂ questions in the app

Also covered in Polynomials in ℂ practice across every exam.

Not sure where you stand? Take the free 10-question placement test — no account, ~15 minutes.