IB Precalculus

Unit 2: Polynomial and Rational Functions

Challenge Problems (No Calculator)
1. Find a number b such that 3 is a zero of the polynomial p dened by
3 2
2 4 1 ) ( x bx x x p + + =
2. Find a number c such that !2 is a zero of the polynomial p dened by
3 2
4 3 5 ) ( cx x x x p + + =
3. Find a polynomial p of de"ree 3 such that !1# 2# and 3 are zeros of p and
p$%& ' 1.
(. Find a polynomial p of de"ree 3 such that !2# !1# and ( are zeros of p and
p$1& ' 2.
). Find all choices of b# c# and d such that 1 and ( are the only zeros of the
polynomial p dened by
d cx bx x x p + + + =
2 3
) (
*. Find all choices of b# c# and d such that !3 and 2 are the only zeros of the
polynomial p dened by
d cx bx x x p + + + =
2 3
) (
+. ,uppose 2 7 5 3 ) (
3 7
+ = x x x x p .
$a& ,ho- that if m is a zero of p# then
7 5 3
2
2 6
+ = m m
m
$b&.ithout usin" the Rational Root /heorem# sho- that the only possible
inte"er zeros of p are !2# !1# 1# and 2.
$c& ,ho- that no zero of p is an inte"er.
0. ,uppose a# b# and c are inte"ers and that
9 ) (
2 3
+ + + = cx bx ax x p
.ithout usin" the Rational Root /heorem# e1plain -hy e2ery zero of p
that is an inte"er is contained in the set
{ } 9 , 3 , 1 , 1 , 3 , 9
.
3. ,uppose that
n
n
x a x a a x p + + + =
1 0
) ( # -here
n
a a a , , ,
2 1

are inte"ers.
,uppose m is a nonzero inte"er that is a zero of p. ,ho- that
m a /
0
is an
inte"er.
1%. 4i2e an e1ample of a polynomial p of de"ree ( such that p$+& ' % and
0 ) ( x p
for all real numbers x.
11. 4i2e an e1ample of a polynomial p of de"ree * such that p$%& ' ) and
5 ) ( x p
for all real numbers x.
12. 4i2e an e1ample of a polynomial p of de"ree 0 such that p$2& ' 3 and
3 ) ( x p
for all real numbers x.
13. 51plain -hy there does not e1ist a polynomial p of de"ree + such that
100 ) ( x p
for e2ery real number x.