1.

Functions

1.2 Polynomial Functions

The general equation for a polynomial of degree n in the variable x is

P( x )= a 0 x n +a 1 x n−1+ a2 x n−2 +…+ an−1 x 1 +a n

Where a0, a1, a2 ,…., an are the coefficients, and n ∈ N. (n is a positive integer ).

Example Degree Name

P( x )= 3x + 5
P( x )= 4x2 – x + 1
P( x )= 2x3 + 3x2 – x + 2
P( x )= x4 – 2x3 – 4x2 + 5x – 2

Dividing Polynomials
-Long division, dividend, divisor, quotient and remainder

18
=6
One way of writing “18 divided by 3” is 3 or 18 = 6 x 3

19
=
“19 divided by 5” is 5

As a conclusion, dividend =

The same method can also be applied to polynomial division. For the following example, use long division to
determine the quotient and remainder.

2 x 2 +7 x +3
(i) x +3

2 x 3 −7 x 2 +5 x−6
(ii) x−2
 3 x 3 −5 x 2 +22
(iv) x 2 +3

As a conclusion: polynomial ¿

Note : If a polynomial of degree n, P(x), is divide by linear factor, (x – a), the quotient, Q(x), is a polynomial of
degree …………, and the remainder, R, is a …………….

P( x)
=
x−a

P( x )=

If a polynomial of degree n, P(x), is divide by quadratic expression, (x – a)( x – b), the quotient, Q(x), is
a polynomial of degree …………, and the remainder is a ………… in the form ………..………….

P( x )
=
( x−a )( x−b )

P( x )=

1.2.1 The Remainder Theorem

-this theorem helps us to find the remainder without going through the process of long devision.

(i) When the polynomial P(x) is divided by (x – a), the remainder is ………
(ii) When the polynomial P(x) is divided by (ax – b), the remainder is ………

Example 1.2.1(a):

Find each of the remainders when the polynomials x 3 +5 x 2 −17 x−21 is divided by
(i) x +1
(ii) x−4
(iii) 2 x+1

Example 1.2.1(b):

Example 1.2.1(c):
3
The expression 2 x +ax 2 −4 x +b has a remainder of 3 when it is divided by x−3 , and a remainder of -22
when it is divided by x +2 . Evaluate a and b , and hence find the remainder when the expression is divided
by 2 x−1 .

Example 1.2.1(d):
 3
Given that when the polynomial f( x )=x + ax 2 +bx +2 is divided by x +1 the remainder is 4 and when
it is divided by x +2 the remainder is also 4, find the values of the constants a and b .

Example 1.2.1(e):

1.2.2 The Factor Theorem

-this theorem helps us to find the factor of a polynomial, P(x)

If P(a) = 0, then (x – a), then (x – a) is a ………………………………

Example 1.2.2(a):

Factorise P( x)=2 x 3 +5 x 2 −39 x+18 . Hence solve the equation 2 x 3 +5 x 2−39 x +18=0 .

Example 1.2.2(b):
3
The cubic polynomial 6 x +7 x 2 + ax+ b has a remainder of 72 when divided by ( x−2 ) , and is exactly

divisible by ( x+1) .

a
(i) Find the values of and
b.
(ii) Find the other two linear factors.

Example 1.2.2(c):
3
Given that the polynomial P( x ) = ax +8 x 2 +bx+6 is exactly divisible by x 2 −2 x−3 , find the values of a
and b . Hence,

(i) factorise P( x )
(ii) find all the roots of the equation P( x ) =0
1.3 Inequalities for Polynomials and Rational Functions

The basic rules governing inequalities are as follow:

For any x , y ∈ R with x > y ,

(i) x +a . .. .. .. . y +a for a ∈ R
(ii) x−a . . .. .. .. y−a for a ∈ R
(iii) kx ........ky for k > 0
(iv) kx ........ ky for k < 0

Example 1.3(a):
State true or false for the following statements.
For a , b , c ∈ R,

(i) if a> b and b> c , then a> c .

(ii) if a< b , then a+ c> b+c .

(iii) if a> b , and c <0 , then a+ c> b+c .

a b
> .
(iv) if a> b , and c <0 , then c c

(v) if a> b , and c >0 , then ac >bc .

(vi) if a> b , and c <0 , then ac <bc .

a b
> .
(vii) if a> b , and c >0 , then c c

2
(viii) if a> b , then a >b 2 .

As a conclusion: For an inequality, x > y , we can …………………………………………….

 but can not ……………………………………………….………………………………………..

Example 1.3(b):
Complete the following statements.

(i) For a , b ∈ R, if ab>0 , then either a> 0 and b> 0

or …………………..

(ii) For a , b ∈ R, if ab<0 , then either …………………..

or …………………..

a
<0 ,
(iii) For a , b ∈ R, if b then either …………………..

or …………………..

a
>0 ,
(iv) For a , b ∈ R, if b then either …………………..

or …………………..

Comparison of solutions between equation and inequalities:

xample 1.3(c): 1−x

=3
2
olve each of the following equations:

a) ( x+1)( x−2 )=0

b) x ( x+1)( x−2)=0

x+ 1
=0
c) x−2

( x−4 )(x +1 )
=0
d) x −2
Example 1.3(d):
( x−4 )( x +1)
=0
e) ( x−2 )(3−x ) Find the solution set of the following inequalities:

2 (a) ( x+1)( x−2 )>0

=3
) x−1
(b) x ( x+1)( x−2)≤0
 x+ 1
≥0
(c) x−2

( x−4 )(x +1 )
≤0
(d) x −2

( x−4 )( x +1)
>0
(e) ( x−2 )(3−x )

2
≥3
(f) x−1

1−x
<3
(g) 2
Example 1.3(e):

Solve each of the following inequalities, giving your answers in set form.

(a) x 2 +3 x≤x +8
4−x
>3
(b) x−2

12
< x+1
(c) x−3

1 −2
≥
(d) x+1 x−1

2−x
<0
(e) x

2
(f) ( x−1) ( x+3)>0

2−x
2
<0
(g) x

x2 −6 x +8
<0
(h) ( x+2)2

(i) x 3 +2 x 2 >3 x
8
x−2<
(j) x

Example 1.3(f):

3
Polynomial P( x )=2 x +ax 2 −x +b has x +1 as a factor and when divided by x−3 the remainder is 12. Find
the constants a and b . Hence, solve P( x )>0 , giving your answers in set form.
1.4 Equation and Inequalities involving Modulus Signs

Definition: for a> 0 ,

(i) If |x|=a then

(ii) If |x|<a then

(iii) If |x|>a then

Example 1.4(a):
Solve these equations.
(i) | x – 3 | = 2

(ii) | 2x + 1 | = x + 2

Example 1.4(b):
Solve these inequalities.
(i) | x – 3 | < 2

(ii) | 2x – 1 | ≥ 4

(iii) | x + 3 | < | 2x – 6 |

(iv) | x + 4 | ≥ 3 - 2x

Note:

Inequalities involving modulus signs can be solved using these methods:

(a) Using definition ( )

(b) Square both sides ( )

(c) Sketch the graphs ( )

1.5 Partial Fraction
1 2 3 x +5
+
We know that x+3 x−1 can be expressed as the single fraction ( x +3)( x−1 ) but if we were given
3 x +5 1 2
+
( x +3)( x−1 ) how would we get back to x+3 x−1 ?

Three cases need to be considered depending upon the kind of factor in the denominator.

(1) Linear factors:

5
𨠨
( x−2)(x+3)

(2) Repeated linear factors:

x +4
𨠨
( x−2 )(x 2 +4 x +4 )

(3) Quadratic factor which cannot be factorized:

x+8
𨠨
x( x 2 +4 )

(4) When the fraction is an improper fraction:

x (x +3 )
𨠨
x2 +x−12
Exercise:

x3
1. Express ( x+4)( x−1 ) in partial fractions.

x +4
2
2. Express ( x +1)( x −4 x +4 ) in partial fractions.

1
3
3. Express x −9 x in partial fractions.

12 x3 −x
2
4. Express ( x−1)(4 x −4 x+1) in partial fractions.

5. Find all the roots of the equation x 3 +6 x 2 +11x +6=0 .

(i) Solve the inequality x 3 +6 x 2 +11x <6 .

1
3 2
>0 .
(ii) Solve the inequality x +6 x +11 x +6

4 x+ 6
3 2
(iii) Hence, express x +6 x +11 x +6 in partial fractions.