Week - 4

Practice Assignment Solution

Algebra of polynomials
Mathematics for Data Science - 1

1 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ):

(Use the following data for the Question 1 and Question 2 only).

Let x be the number of years since the year 2000 (i.e., x = 0 denotes the year 2000). The
total amount of profit (in |) on books in a shop is given by the function T (x) = 5x3 + 3x + 1.
The shop sells books of four languages English, Bengali, Hindi, and Tamil. The profits from
selling English and Bengali books are given by E(x) = 3x3 − 5x2 + x and B(x) = x2 + 4x + 5
respectively. The profit from selling Hindi and Tamil books are found to be the same.

1. Which of the following polynomial functions represents the profit from selling Tamil
books?
⃝ 2x3 + 4x2 − 2x − 4
⃝ x3 − 2x2 − x + 2
⃝ x3 + 2x2 − x − 2
⃝ 2x3 − 4x2 − 2x + 4

2. In which year was the profit from Hindi books zero?

⃝ 2001
⃝ 2002
⃝ 2004
⃝ 2010
Solution:
(a) The total profit from selling English and Bengali books is= E(x) + B(x) = (3x3 −
5x2 +x)+(x2 +4x+5) = 3x3 −4x2 +5x+5. Hence the total profit from selling Hindi
and Tamil books is= T (x)−(3x3 −4x2 +5x+5) = 5x3 +3x+1−3x3 +4x2 −5x−5 =
2x3 + 4x2 − 2x − 4.
As the profit from selling Hindi and Tamil books are found to be the same, the
profit from selling Tamil books is= 21 (2x3 + 4x2 − 2x − 4) = x3 + 2x2 − x − 2
(b) Profit from selling Hindi books (which is same as the profit from selling Tamil
books) is x3 + 2x2 − x − 2.

x3 + 2x2 − x − 2 = x2 (x + 2) − 1(x + 2) = (x + 2)(x2 − 1) = (x + 2)(x + 1)(x − 1)

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So the profit will be zero if (x + 2)(x + 1)(x − 1) = 0, i.e., at x = −2, −1, 1 the
profit can be 0. But in this context, x cannot be negative. So x = 1 is the only
possibility. Hence in the year 2001 the profit from Hindi books was zero.

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3. Find the quadratic polynomial which when divided by x, x − 1, and x + 1 gives the
remainders 7, 14, and 8 respectively.
⃝ 4x2 − 3x + 7
⃝ x2 + 7x + 7
⃝ 7x2 + x + 7
⃝ 4x2 + 3x + 7
Solution: Let the quadratic polynomial which is satisfying the given condition be p(x) =
ax2 + bx + c.
When it is divided by x the remainder is 7. It implies that if we substitute x = 0 in p(x)
we will get 7, i.e., p(0) = 7. Similarly we have p(1) = 14 and p(−1) = 8.
Hence we have the following equations:

p(0) = a(0)2 + b(0) + c

=c
=7
p(1) = a.(1)2 + b.1 + c
=a+b+c
= 14
p(−1) = a(−1)2 + b(−1) + c
=a−b+c
=8

So, we have c = 7, and substituting c in the second and third equation we get, a + b = 7,
and a − b = 1. By solving these two equations we get a = 4 and b = 3.
Hence the quadratic polynomial is 4x2 + 3x + 7.

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4. Box A has length x unit, breadth (x + 1) unit, and height (x + 2) unit. Box B has length
(x + 1) unit, breadth (x + 1) unit, and height (x + 2) unit. There are two more boxes
C and D of cubic shape with side x unit. The total volume of A and B is y cubic unit
more than the total volume of C and D. Find y in terms of x.
⃝ x3 + 7x2 + 7x + 2
⃝ 7x2 + 7x + 2
⃝ 7x2 − 7x − 2
⃝ x3 + 7x2 − 7x − 2
Solution: The volume of box A is x(x + 1)(x + 2) = x3 + 3x2 + 2x cubic unit.
The volume of box B is (x + 1)(x + 1)(x + 2) = (x2 + 2x + 1)(x + 2) = x3 + 4x2 + 5x + 2
cubic unit.
The volume of box C and D is x3 cubic unit each. So the total volume of A and B is
2x3 + 7x2 + 7x + 2 and the total volume of C and D is 2x3 .
Hence y = (2x3 + 7x2 + 7x + 2) − 2x3 = 7x2 + 7x + 2.

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5. The population of a bacteria culture in laboratory conditions is known to be a function
of time of the form p(t) = at5 + bt2 + c, where p represents the population (in lakhs)
and t represents the time (in minutes). Suppose a student conducts an experiment to
determine the coefficients a, b, and c in the formula and obtains the following data:

• p(0) = 3
• p(1) = 5
• p(2) = 39

Which of the following options is correct?

⃝ p(t) = 3t5 − t2 + 3
⃝ p(t) = 4t5 − 2t2 + 3
⃝ p(t) = t5 + t2 + 3
⃝ p(t) = 39t5 + 5t2 + 3
Solution: Given that, p(t) = at5 + bt2 + c.
p(0) = c = 3
p(1) = a + b + c = 5, putting c = 3, we get a + b = 2.
p(2) = a(2)5 + b(2)2 + c = 32a + 4b + c = 39, substituting c = 3, we get 32a + 4b = 36,
implies, 8a + b = 9 (cancelling 4 from both sides)
By solving these two equations we get a = 1, and b = 1.
Hence, p(t) = t5 + t2 + 3.

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6. If the polynomials x3 + ax2 + 5x + 7 and x3 + 2x2 + 3x + 2a leave the same remainder
when divided by (x − 2), then the value of a is:
3
⃝ 2
⃝ − 32
5
⃝ 2
⃝ − 52
Solution: Given that both the polynomials leave same remainder when divided by
(x − 2). By substituting x = 2 both the polynomial should have same value.
By substituting x = 2 in x3 + ax2 + 5x + 7, we get 8 + 4a + 10 + 7 = 4a + 25.
By substituting x = 2 in x3 + 2x2 + 3x + 2a, we get 8 + 8 + 6 + 2a = 2a + 22.
So we have,

4a + 25 = 2a + 22
2a = −3
3
a=−
2

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 7. Let r(x) be a polynomial function which is obtained as the remainder after dividing the
polynomial 2x3 + x2 − 5 by the polynomial 2x − 3. Choose the correct option which
represents the polynomial r(x) most appropriately.

r(x) r(x)

4• 4•

2• 2•

x x
−2 • −2 •

−4 • −4 •

⃝ Option A ⃝ Option B
Fig P-6.2 Fig P-6.3

r(x) r(x)

4• 4•

2• 2•

x x
−2 • −2 •

−4 • −4 •

⃝ Option C ⃝ Option D
Fig P-6.4 Fig P-6.5

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Solution We get 4 as the remainder if 2x3 + x2 − 5 is divided by the polynomial 2x − 3.

2x3 + x2 − 5 = (2x − 3)(x2 + 2x + 3) + 4

Hence r(x) = 4, which is a constant polynomial. Hence, the first option is the correct.

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 2 Multiple Select Questions (MSQ):
(Use the following data for the Question 8 and Question 9 only).
By dividing a polynomial p(x) with another polynomial q(x) we get h(x) as the quotient
and r(x) as the remainder.

8. The maximum degree of r(x) can be,

⃝ deg p(x)
⃝ deg (p(x)) − 1
⃝ deg q(x)
⃝ deg (q(x)) − 1

9. If deg p(x) < deg q(x), then choose the set of correct answers:
⃝ h(x) = 0
⃝ deg h(x) = deg q(x)
⃝ deg r(x) = deg q(x)
⃝ deg r(x) = deg p(x)
Solution:
(a) The degree of the remainder r(x) should be strictly less than the degree of the
polynomial q(x). So the maximum degree of r(x) is deg (q(x)) − 1.
(b) If deg p(x) < deg q(x), then quotient will be zero polynomial, hence deg h(x) = 0.
The remainder will be p(x) itself. So deg r(x) = deg p(x).

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 3 Numerical Answer Type (NAT):
(Use the following data for the Question 10 and Question 11 only).
An open box can be made from a piece of cardboard of length 7x unit and breadth 5x
unit, by cutting squares of side x unit out of the corners of the rectangular cardboard,
then folding up the sides as shown in the Figure P-6.1.

5x

7x

Figure P-6.1

10. What will be the coefficient of x3 in the polynomial representing the volume of the box?
[Answer:15]

11. What will be the coefficient of x2 in the polynomial representing the volume of the box?
[Answer:0]
Solution: As the sides of the piece of the cardboard has been cut out, the length of
the box made will be 7x − (x + x) = 5x unit and the breadth of the box made will be
5x − (x + x) = 3x unit, and the height will be x unit.
Hence the volume of the box will be 5x × 3x × x = 15x3 cubic unit.

(a) The coefficient of x3 in the polynomial representing the volume of the box is 15.
(b) The coefficient of x2 in the polynomial representing the volume of the box is 0.

12. What should be subtracted from the polynomial P (x) = 6x4 + 5x3 + 4x − 4 to make it
divisible by 2x2 + x − 1?
⃝ 4x
⃝ 4x − 3
⃝ 6x − 3
⃝ 2x − 3

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Solution:
Using 4 step division algorithm, we find the remainder when P (x) is divided by 2x2 +x−1.
If we subtract the obtained remainder from P (x) then the resultant polynomial will be
divisible by 2x2 + x − 1.
Now,

6x4 + 5x3 + 0x2 + 4x − 42x2 + x − 1 Therefore, when P (x) is divided by 2x2 + x − 1, we

get 4x − 3 as the remainder.
Hence, 4x − 3 should be subtracted from the polynomial P (x) = 6x4 + 5x3 + 4x − 4 to
make it divisible by 2x2 + x − 1.

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13. Table 1 provides the information regarding some polynomials. Which is the most suitable
(not exact) representation of h(x) where h(x) is known to be a polynomial in x, and if
h(x) = P (x)Q(x)−R(x)S(x)+S(x)P
P (x)+P (x)Q2 (x)
(x)
? [Ans: option D]

Polynomial Degree Condition

P (x) m m>0
Q(x) n m > 2n > 0
R(x) k k =m−n
S(x) t t = 2n

Table 1

h(x) h(x)

x x
A. B.

h(x) h(x)

x x
C. D.

Solution:
Given, the degree of P (x) is ‘m’ where m > 0, the degree of Q(x) is ‘n’ where m > 2n > 0,
the degree of R(x) is ‘k’ where k = m − n, and the degree of S(x) is ‘t’ where t = 2n.

Also, h(x) = P (x)Q(x)−R(x)S(x)+S(x)P

P (x)+P (x)Q2 (x)
(x)
and h(x) is known to be a polynomial. The degree
of h(x) will be the difference between the degree of the numerator and the degree of the

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denominator. The degree of the numerator will be the degree of the term which has the
highest degree in the numerator. Similarly, the degree of the denominator will be the
degree of the term which has the highest degree in the denominator.

Now, the degree of the polynomial P (x)Q(x) will be ‘m + n’, the degree of R(x)S(x)
will be ‘k +t = m−n+2n = m+n’, and the degree of S(x)P (x) will be ‘t+m = 2n+m’.

Therefore, the degree of the numerator (polynomial P (x)Q(x) − R(x)S(x) + S(x)P (x))
will be ‘m + 2n’.
Similarly, the degree of the denominator (polynomial P (x) + P (x)Q2 (x)) will be m + 2n.
As h(x) is given to be a polynomial and also the degrees of the polynomials in the
numerator and the denominator are same, we can conclude that the degree of h(x) is
zero i.e. h(x) should be a constant.
So, option D is the most suitable representation of h(x).

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Use the following information to solve questions 14-16.
A manufacturing company produces three type of products A, B, and C from one raw
material in a single continuous process. This process generates total solid wastes (W ) (in
kg) as W (r) = −0.0001r3 + 0.1r2 + r, where r is the amount of raw material used in kg. If
instead, the company uses three different batch-processes (one batch process for one product)
to produce the above products, then the amount of waste generated because of products A,
B, and C are given as WA = −0.00001r4 +0.015r3 , WB = −0.005r3 +0.05r2 and WC = 0.05r2
respectively.
(See the Figure A-5.1 for the reference.)

Figure A-5.1

14. What is the total amount of waste generated because of the three different batch-
processes?
⃝ −0.00001r4 + 0.01r3 + 1.5r2
⃝ −0.00001r4 + 0.015r3 + 1.5r2
⃝ −0.00001r 4 + 0.01r 3 + 0.1r 2
⃝ −0.00001r4 + 0.01r3 + 0.5r2
⃝ −0.00001r4 + r3 + 1.5r2
⃝ 0.0001r4 + 0.01r3 + 1.5r2

Solution:

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The total amount of waste generated because of the three different batch-processes is

WA + WB + WC = −0.00001r4 + 0.015r3 − 0.005r3 + 0.05r2 + 0.05r2

= −0.00001r 4 + 0.01r 3 + 0.1r 2

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15. What is the ratio of the total waste generated by the three-batch-processes with respect
to the single continuous process?
⃝ −0.001r2
⃝ −0.001r
⃝ −0.01r
⃝ −0.1r
⃝ 0.1r
⃝ 0.01r

Solution:
The total waste generated by the three-batch-processes is
WA + WB + WC = −0.00001r4 + 0.01r3 + 0.1r2 .
The waste generated in the single continuous process is W (r) = −0.0001r3 + 0.1r2 + r.
The ratio of the total waste generated by the three-batch-processes with respect to the
single continuous process is

WA + WB + WC −0.00001r4 + 0.01r3 + 0.1r2

=
W (r) −0.0001r3 + 0.1r2 + r
(0.1r)(−0.0001r3 + 0.1r2 + r)
=
−0.0001r3 + 0.1r2 + r
= 0.1r

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16. Let the company wastes Rs. 5,000 in waste treatment when it uses the single continuous
process by consuming 100 kg of raw material. If instead of continuous process the
company uses the three-batch-processes, then how much extra amount (in Rs.) will the
company have to pay for waste treatment with respect to the continuous process?
⃝ 50,000
⃝ 500
⃝ 45,000
⃝ 5,000
⃝ 4,000

Solution:

As the ratio for waste generation (continuous to batch) is 10 we can calculate cost for
waste management from batch process will be ten times of the continuous process.
Therefore the cost for waste management from the batch process will be 5, 000 × 10 =
50, 000.
So the the extra amount required is 50, 000 − 5, 000 = 45, 000.

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 4 Multiple Select Questions (MSQ):
17. Given P (x) and Q(x) be two non zero polynomials of degrees m and n respectively. If
P (x)
f (x) = P (x) + Q(x), g(x) = P (x)Q(x), and h(x) = P (x){P (x)Q(x) + Q(x) }, If h(x) is
known to be a polynomial in x,then choose the set of correct options.
⃝ The degree of f (x) is m + n.
⃝ The degree of g(x) is m + n.
⃝ The degree of f (x) is max{m, n} if m ̸= n, where max{m, n} rep-
resents the maximum value from m and n.
⃝ The degree of h(x) is m3 .
⃝ The degree of h(x) is n3 .
⃝ The degree of h(x) is 2m + n.

Solution:
Given, P (x) and Q(x) are two non zero polynomials of degree m and n respectively.
Also, f (x) = P (x) + Q(x).
If m > n, then the degree of the polynomial f (x) will be m, else if m < n, then the
degree of the polynomial f (x) will be n, else if m = n, then the degree of the polynomial
will be less than or equal to m(or n).
Therefore, we can conclude that the degree of the polynomial f (x) is max{m, n} if
m ̸= n, where max{m, n} represents the maximum value from m and n.
Hence, option 1 is incorrect, and option 3 is correct.

Now, g(x) = P (x)Q(x), the degree of the polynomial g(x) will be the sum of the degrees
of the polynomials P (x) and Q(x).
Therefore, the degree of g(x) is m + n. Hence, option 2 is correct.

P (x) 2
Finally, h(x) = P (x){P (x)Q(x) + Q(x) } = (P (x))2 Q(x) + (PQ(x)
(x))
.
2
The degree of the polynomial (P (x)) Q(x) will be 2m + n and as given that h(x) is a
(x))2
polynomial implies Q(x) divides (P (x))2 , so the degree of the polynomial (PQ(x) will be
2m − n.
Since 2m + n > 2m − n, the degree of the polynomial h(x) is 2m + n. Hence, options 4
and 5 are incorrect, and option 6 is correct.

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18. Given a polynomial P (x) = (2x + 5)(1 − 3x)(x2 + 3x + 1), then choose the set of correct
options.
⃝ Coefficient of x5 is 0.
⃝ Coefficient of x3 is −18.
⃝ Degree of P is 4.
⃝ Coefficient of x3 is −13.
⃝ Degree of P is 7.
⃝ All of the above.

Solution:
Given, P (x) = (2x + 5)(1 − 3x)(x2 + 3x + 1)
= (2x + 5 − 6x2 − 15x)(x2 + 3x + 1)
= (5 − 6x2 − 13x)(x2 + 3x + 1)
= 5x2 − 6x4 − 13x3 + 15x − 18x3 − 39x2 + 5 − 6x2 − 13x
= −6x4 − 31x3 − 40x2 + 2x + 5

Option 1 is correct, because there is no x5 term in the polynomial P (x). So, the coeffi-
cient of x5 is 0.
The degree of the polynomial P (x) is 4. Hence, option 3 is correct and option 5 is
incorrect.
The coefficient of x3 is -31. Hence, options 2 and 4 are incorrect.

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19. A sheet ABCD of dimensions 10 ft x 3 ft is shown in Figure 7. A box is made by
removing two squares of equal dimensions AEF G and DHIJ and two rectangles of
equal dimensions BKLM and CN OP respectively.

A E K B
x side x
F L M
G R
x
bottom top
90 side 90side

H O Q
I P
side 5
D J N C

⃝ The volume of the box is 2x2 − 23x + 30.

⃝ The volume of the box is 2x3 − 13x2 + 15x.
⃝ If x = 0.5, then the volume of the box is 5.625 cubic ft.
⃝ To create the box, value of x should always be greater than 0 but less than
1.5.

Solution:
From Figure A-6.1, the length of the box will be EK = AB − KB − AE = 10 − 5 − x =
5 − x, the breadth of the box will be GH = AD − AG − HD = 3 − x − x = 3 − 2x, and
the height of the box will be AE = x.
Therefore, the volume of the box V given by length × breadth × height will be

V = (5 − x)(3 − 2x)(x)
V = (15 − 3x − 10x + 2x2 )(x)
V = 2x3 − 13x2 + 15x

Hence, options 1 is incorrect, and option 2 is correct.

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If x = 0.5, then the volume of the box

V = 2x3 − 13x2 + 15x

V = 2(0.5)3 − 13(0.5)2 + 15(0.5)
V = 2(0.625) − 13(0.25) + 7.5
V = 1.25 − 3.25 + 7.5 = 5.5

Hence, option 3 is incorrect.

Now, given the volume of the cubical bar of soap is (5 − x) cubic ft. and we know the
volume of the box is 2x3 − 13x2 + 15x.
3 2 +15x
So, the maximum bars of soap that can be packed in the box = 2x −13x 5−x

2x3 − 13x2 + 15x5 − x Therefore, at most −2x2 + 3x = 2x(1.5 − x) bars of soap can
be packed in the box. Hence, option 4 is correct.

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 5 Numerical Answer Type (NAT):
20. A curious student created a performance profile of his favourite cricketer as R = −x5 +
6x4 − 30x3 + 80x2 + 70x + c, where R is the total cumulative runs scored by the cricketer
in x matches. He picked three starting values shown in Table 2 and tried to find the
value of c. If he uses Sum Squared Error method, then what will be the value of c?[Ans:
-2]

No. of matches Total score

1 120
2 285
3 361

Table 2

Solution:
Let us calculate the predicted cumulative runs scored by the player in the first three
matches.
Substituting x = 1, 2, 3 in the given function, we get

R(1) = −(1)5 + 6(1)4 − 30(1)3 + 80(1)2 + 70(1) + c

= −1 + 6 − 30 + 80 + 70 + c
= 125 + c
R(2) = −(2)5 + 6(2)4 − 30(2)3 + 80(2)2 + 70(2) + c
= −32 + 96 − 240 + 320 + 140 + c
= 284 + c
R(3) = −(3)5 + 6(3)4 − 30(3)3 + 80(3)2 + 70(3) + c
= −243 + 486 − 810 + 720 + 210 + c
= 363 + c

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 Now, let us find the sum squared error of cumulative score for these three matches.
3
X
SSE = (R(n) − yn )2 , where yn is the total cumulative score in n matches.
n=1
= (R(1) − y1 )2 + (R(2) − y2 )2 + (R(3) − y3 )2
= (125 + c − 120)2 + (284 + c − 285)2 + (363 + c − 361)2
= (5 + c)2 + (c − 1)2 + (2 + c)2
= 25 + 10c + c2 + c2 − 2c + 1 + 4 + 4c + c2
= 3c2 + 12c + 30

We have to find the value of c such that SSE becomes minimum, this is equal to the
minimum value of the quadratic equation 3c2 + 12c + 30.
We know that the minimum value of any quadratic function of form f (x) = Ax2 +Bx+D,
occurs at x = −B
2A
. Here, A = 3, B = 12
So, the minimum value of the quadratic equation 3c2 + 12c + 30, occurs at
c = −B
2A
= −12
2(3)
= −2
Therefore, the minimum SSE is obtained when the value of c is −2.

21. What is the minimum value of x−coordinate for the points of intersection of functions
f (x) = −x5 + 5x4 − 7x − 2 and g(x) = −x5 + 5x4 − x2 − 2?

Solution:
At the points of intersection, observe that f (x) = g(x).
Here, f (x) = −x5 + 5x4 − 7x − 2 and g(x) = −x5 + 5x4 − x2 − 2.
Equating the functions we get,

−x5 + 5x4 − 7x − 2 = −x5 + 5x4 − x2 − 2

−7x = −x2
x2 − 7x = 0
x(x − 7) = 0
=⇒ x = 0 (or) x = 7

Therefore, the minimum value of x- coordinate for the points of intersection of functions
f (x) and g(x) is 0.

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