MODULE OUTCOMES 1:

Understand basic mathematical concepts and mathematical

techniques for algebra, calculus and data handling
At the end of this topic, student should be able to :

define polynomials and state the degree of a
polynomials, leading coefficient and constant terms.
recognize monomials, binomials and trinomials.
perform addition, subtraction and multiplication of
polynomials.
perform division of polynomials.
use the remainder theorem.
use factor theorem.
identify the value of a such is a factor of and
factorise completely.


Definition of polynomials
A polynomial () of n degree is defined
as

where
and are called
the coefficient of the polynomial

=

++

Note that :

the coefficient of the highest power of ,

is the leading coefficient.

the constant term is
0
.

the degree of the polynomial is
determined by the highest power of the
polynomial.

Examples of non-polynomial expressions
i.

+
ii.

iii.

+ +
iv.

* Contains non-positive power of
mono
one
Bi
two
Tri
three
+
+ +
Monomial: A number, a variable or the product of a
number and one or more variables.
Polynomial: A monomial or a sum of monomials.
Binomial: A polynomial with exactly two terms.
Trinomial: A polynomial with exactly three terms.
Coefficient: A numerical factor in a term of an algebraic
expression.
Degree of a monomial: The sum of the exponents of all
of the variables in the monomial.
Degree of a polynomial in one variable: The largest
exponent of that variable.
Standard form: When the terms of a polynomial are
arranged from the largest exponent to the smallest
exponent in decreasing order.
Polynomial Term Binomial Trinomial
1 or more
monomials
combined
by addition
or
subtraction
each
monomial
in a
polynomial
polynomial
with 2
terms
polynomial
with 3
terms
4x
3
y + 3y
2
5
4x
3
y + 3y
2
5
has 3 terms
5x
4
+1
3x
2
2xy + y
2
1) 7y - 3x + 4
trinomial
2) 10x
3
yz
2

monomial
3)
not a polynomial
2
5
7
2
y
y
+
1. x
2
+ x + 1
2. x
2
+ x + 2
3. x
2
+ 2x + 2
4. x
2
+ 3x + 2
5. Ive got no idea!

X
2

1
1
X
X
X
1) 5x
2

2
2) 4a
4
b
3
c
8
3) -3
0
1) 8x
2
- 2x + 7
Degrees: 2 1 0
Which is biggest? 2 is the degree!
2) y
7
+ 6y
4
+ 3x
4
m
4

Degrees: 7 4 8
8 is the degree!
1. 0
2. 2
3. 3
4. 5
5. 10

Exercises
1. Identify whether the following statement are polynomials or not. If
polynomials, what is the degree, leading coefficient and
constant term.
(a)

(b)

(c)

2. Identify the appropriate terms for the following polynomials.

(a)

(b)




4 3 ) (
2
= x x P
3 4 ) (
2
1
+ = x x x P
3
2
3
2 ) ( x x x P + =
2 5
2 ) ( x x x P + =
3 2 ) (
2 5
+ + = x yzx x P
Addition Polynomials (+)
Subtraction Polynomials (-)
Multiplication Polynomials (x)
Division Polynomials ()
Long Division Method (Traditional
Method)
Synthetic Method (Coefficient Method)
The addition and subtraction of the
polynomial and can be performed by
collecting like terms (similar term).

Simplify
1. 3 +2 + 4
2
2 +1
=

+ + +
=

+ +
2.
3
2
2
(4
3
+
2
)
=

3.
2
+3 +2
=

+

4. 4x
3
3x +10 x
2
( )
8x
2
+ 2x x
3
x
4
( )
Combine like terms and put terms in descending order
= 4x
3
3x +10x
2
8x
2
2x + x
3
+x
4
Simplify
= x
4
3x
3
+ 2x
2
5x
5. 2x
2
3xy + 5y
2
( )
4x
2
3xy 2y
2
( )
= 2x
2
3xy + 5y
2
4x
2
+ 3xy + 2y
2
= 2x
2
+ 7y
2
Every term in one polynomials is
multiplied by each term in the other
polynomials.

Simplify
6. 9a
2
3a 7b
3
( )
= 9a
2
3a 7b
3
9a
2
= 27a
3
+63a
2
b
3
7. x +8 ( ) x +12 ( )
= x
2
+12x +8x +96
= x
2
+20x + 96
8. x + 3 ( )
2
Simplify
= x + 3 ( ) x + 3 ( )
= x
2
+3x +3x +9
= x
2
+6x +9
*Notice that (a+b)
2
= a
2
+2ab +b
2
Simplify
9. 4c 5 ( ) 2c 3 ( )
= 8c
2
12c 10c +15
= 8c
2
22c +15
10. 3y
2
2
( )
2y +1 ( )
= 6y
3
+ 3y
2
4y 2
Simplify
= 2x
3
24x
2
+10x
2
120x 4x +48
11. 2x
2
+10 x 4
( )
x 12 ( )
= 2x
3
14x
2
124x +48
Exercises

1. Problems 18 refer to the following polynomials: [MO1]

(a) (b) (c)
1. What is the degree of (a)?
2. What is the degree of (b)?
3. Add (a) and (b).
4. Add (b) and (c).
5. Subtract (b) from (a).
6. Subtract (c) from (b).
7. Multiply (a) and (c).

5 3 2
2 3
+ + x x x 1 2
2
+ x x
2 3 x
3
2

+ +

+
2. Perform the indicated operations and simplify. [MO1]

(a) 2(x-1)+3(2x-3)-(4x-5)

(b) 2y-3y(4-2(y-1))

(c) (m-n)(m+n)

(d) (3x+2y)(x-3y)

The division of the polynomial can be
expressed in the form
= +()
:
:
:
:
Basic in division:
1
1
2
= 1 +
1
2



2 Methods:
1. Long Division Method
2. Synthetic Method

Q (x)
D (x)
R (x)
Think back to long division from 3rd grade.
How many times does the divisor go into the
dividend? Put that number on top.
Multiply that number by the divisor and put the result
under the dividend.
Subtract and bring down the next number in the
dividend. Repeat until you have used all the numbers
in the dividend.
Polynomial Division is very similar to long
division.

Example:
1 3
3 10 5 3
2 3
+
+
x
x x x
3 10 5 3 1 3
2 3
+ + x x x x
2
x
2 3
3 x x +
2
6x
x 10 +
x 2
x x 2 6
2

x 12
3
4 +
x 12
4 +
7
Subtract!!
Subtract!!
Subtract!!
= + ()
=

+ +
Example:




Notice that there is no x term. However,
we need to include it when we divide.
5 2
15 9 2
2 3

+
x
x x
15 9 2 5 2
2 3
+ + x x x
2
x
2 3
5 2 x x
2
4x
x 0 +
x 2
x x 10 4
2
+
x 10
15 +
5
x 10
25 +
10
x 0
= + ()
=

Example:




Answer:


2
34 9 10 5
2 3 4
+
+ +
x
x x x x
17 4 3
2 3
+ + x x x
4 2
6: 5 4 6 ( 3) Ex x x x x
To use synthetic division:
There must be a coefficient for every possible power of the
variable.
The divisor must have a leading coefficient of 1.
Step #1: Write the terms of the polynomial so the degrees are in
descending order.
5x
4
+ 0x
3
4x
2
+x +6
Since the numerator does not contain all the
powers of x, you must include a 0 for the
x
3
.
4 2
5 4 6 ( 3) x x x x + +
Step #2: Write the constant r of the divisor x-r to the
left and write down the coefficients.
Since the divisor is x-3, r=3
5x
4
+ 0x
3
4x
2
+x +6
5 0 -4 1 6
3
4 2
5 4 6 ( 3) x x x x + +
5
Step #3: Bring down the first coefficient, 5.
3 5 0 - 4 1 6
4 2
5 4 6 ( 3) x x x x + +
5
3 5 0 - 4 1 6
Step #4: Multiply the first coefficient by r, so
3 5 15 =
and place under the second coefficient then add.
15
15
4 2
5 4 6 ( 3) x x x x + +
5
3 5 0 - 4 1 6
15
15
Step #5: Repeat process multiplying the sum, 15, by r;
and place this number under the next coefficient, then
add.
15 3 45 =
45
41
4 2
5 4 6 ( 3) x x x x + +
5
3 5 0 - 4 1 6
15
15 45
41
Step #5 cont.: Repeat the same procedure.
123
124
372
378
Where did 123 and 372 come from?
4 2
5 4 6 ( 3) x x x x + +
Step #6: Write the quotient.
The numbers along the bottom are coefficients of the power of x in
descending order, starting with the power that is one less than
that of the dividend.
5
3 5 0 - 4 1 6
15
15 45
41
123
124
372
378
( )
4 2
5 4 6 ( 3) x x x x + +
The solution is:
4 2
5 4 6 ( 3) x x x x + +
= +()
=

+ + +
5x
5
21x
4
3x
3
+ 4x
2
2x + 2
( )
x + 4 ( )
Ex 7:
Step#1: Powers are all accounted for and in descending order.
Step#2: Identify r in the divisor.
Since the divisor is x+4, r=-4 .
4 5 21 3 4 2 2
Step#3: Bring down the 1st coefficient.
Step#4: Multiply and add.
4 5 21 3 4 2 2
-5
Step#5: Repeat.
20
4 -4
0 8
-1 1 0 -2 10
4 3 2
10
5 2
4
x x x
x
+ +
+
( )
( )
5 4 3 2
5 21 3 4 2 2 4 x x x x x x + + +
6x
2
2x + 4
( )
2x 3 ( )
Ex 8:
6x
2
2

2x
2
+
4
2
|
\

|
.
|

2x
2

3
2
|
\
|
.
Notice the leading coefficient of the divisor is 2 not 1.
We must divide everything by 2 to change the coefficient to a 1.
= 3x
2
x + 2
( )
x
3
2
|
\
|
.
3
2
3 1 2
3
9
2
2
2

7
2
21
4
8
4
29
4
( )
2
6 2 4 2 3 x x x +
x
3
x
2
+ 2x 7
( )
2x 1 ( )
Ex 9:
3 2
2 7 2 1
2 2 2 2 2 2
x x x x
1
1
2
1
2
7
2
Coefficients
1 1 1 7
1
2 2 2 2

1
2
1
4
1
4

2
4

1
8

( )
8
8
7
8
7
16
( )
56
16

49
16

3 2
1 1 7 1
2 2 2 2
x x x x +
( )
( )
3 2
2 7 2 1 x x x x +
Exercises

1.Divide the following polynomials by using Long Division
Method and Synthetic Method. Hence, expressed the
answer in the form of
= +()
(a) = 2
3
+3
2
8 +3; = +3
(b) =
5
+
4
+3 2; = 2
(c) =
4
+4
2
6 +7; = 2


) ( ) ( x R a P =


4 3 2
4 3 2
Let ( ) 6 8 5 13
find (4)
(4) (4) 6(4) 8(4) 5(4) 13
(4) 2
(4) 33
therefor
#1 Direct Substitution
e when ( ) is divid
56 38
ed b
4 128 20
y (
#2 Synthe
4) the r
tic
1
emainder = 33
3

f
f x
M
f x x x x x
f
f
ethod
Method
f
x
= + + +
= + + +
=
=

+ + +
Use synthetic division
4 1 6 8 5
Sub
13
33
4 8 0 20
1 2 0
stitutio
5
n

e.g. Find the remainder when is

divided by x - 1
4 7
2 3
+ x x
The remainder theorem gives the remainder when a
polynomial is divided by a linear factor
It doesnt enable us to find the quotient
4 7 ) (
2 3
+ = x x x f Let
4 ) 1 ( 7 ) 1 ( ) 1 (
2 3
+ = f
4 =
The method is the same as that for the factor
theorem
The remainder is 4
The remainder theorem says that if we divide a
polynomial by x a, the remainder is given by ) (x f ) (a f
e.g.1 Find the remainder when is
divided by
1 4 3
2 3
+ + x x x
2 x
Solution: Let
1 4 3 ) (
2 3
+ + = x x x x f
1 ) 2 ( 4 ) 2 ( 3 ) 2 ( ) 2 (
2 3
+ + = f
) 2 ( 2 f R a = =
So,
1 8 12 8 + + =
13 = R
Tip: Use the remainder theorem to check the
remainder when using long division. If the remainder
is correct the quotient will be too!
e.g.2 Find the remainder when is
divided by
4 2
2 3
+ + x x x
1 2 + x
Solution: Let 4 2 ) (
2 3
+ + = x x x x f
To find the value of a, we let 2x + 1 = 0. The value
of x gives the value of a.
2
1
0 1 2 = = + x x
4 2
2
1
2
2
1
3
2
1
2
1
+ + = f
4 1
4
1
8
1
2
1
+ = f

so,
2
1
= f R

8
32 8 2 1 +
= R

8
21
= R
5 3
Let ( ) 3 5 57.
Find the remainder when divided by ( 2)
____________________________________
2 3 0 5 0 0 57
6 12 14 28 56
3 14 1 6 7 28
f x x x
x
= +
+

+

Remainder = 1
Exercises
Find the remainder when is
divided by x + 1
5 3 4
2 3
+ + x x x 1.
Solution: Let
5 3 4 ) (
2 3
+ + = x x x x f
5 = R

5 3 4 1 + = R

5 ) 1 ( 3 ) 1 ( 4 ) 1 ( ) 1 (
2 3
+ + = f
2.
If x + 2 is a factor of and if the remainder on
division by x 1 is 3, find the values of a and b.
6
2 3
+ + bx ax x
Exercises
2.
If x + 2 is a factor of and if the remainder on
division by x 1 is 3, find the values of a and b.
6
2 3
+ + bx ax x
0 6 ) 2 ( ) 2 ( ) 2 (
2 3
= + + b a = 0 ) 2 ( f
= 3 ) 1 ( f 3 6 1 = + + b a
0 14 2 4 = b a

Solution: Let
6 ) (
2 3
+ + = bx ax x x f

2 = + b a
- - - (2)
7 2 = b a
- - - (1)

(1) + (2)
3 9 3 = = a a
Substitute in (2)
1 = b
When = 0 then is a factor of the
polynomial.
The binomial - is a factor of the polynomial ( ) if and only if ( ) 0 x a f x f a =
3 2
Let ( ) 5 12 36
Is the binomial 3 a factor of the polynomial ( ) ?
3 1 5 -12 -36
3 24 36
1 8 2 0 1
f x x x x
x f x
= +

Since the remainder is 0,

x-3 is a factor of the
polynomial.
When you divide the polynomial by one of the
binomial factors , the quotient is called a
depressed equation.

3
2
2
2
The polynomial 5 12 36 can be factored as
(x-3)
The polynomial is the depressed polynomial,
which
(x 8 12).
also ma
x
y be factorable
12
.
8
x
x x
x
x +
+ +
+ +
The Factor Theorem
4 3
Is a factor - 2 2 2 of ? x x x x +
2 1 1 0 2 2
2 2 4 12
1 10 1 2 6

(x-2)
Is NOT a factor
Remainder = 10, therefore
Show that (x 2) and (x + 3) are factors of
f (x) = 2x
4
+ 7x
3
4x
2
27x 18.
Then find the remaining factors of f (x).

Solution:
Using synthetic division with the factor (x 2), you obtain the
following.
0 remainder, so f (2) = 0
and (x 2) is a factor.
Take the result of this division and perform synthetic division again
using the factor (x + 3).





Because the resulting quadratic expression factors as
2x
2
+ 5x + 3 = (2x + 3)(x + 1)
the complete factorization of f (x) is
f (x) = (x 2)(x + 3)(2x + 3)(x + 1).
0 remainder, so f (3) = 0
and (x + 3) is a factor.
contd
3 2
1. 8 42 x x x + +
3 2
2. 2 15 2 120 x x x +
4 3 2
3. 6x 13 36 43 30 x x x + +
( 7) x
Given a polynomial and one of its factors, find the
remaining factors of the polynomial. Some factors may
not be binomials.

(2 5) x+
( 2) x
1.( 3)( 2) x x +
2.( 6)( 4) x x
2
3.(3 8 5)(2 3) x x x + +