Polynomials

Polynomial definition: Let x be a variable (literal), n be a positive be constants (real numbers). integer and , , , Then + + + + is known as a polynomial in a variable x. Degree of a polynomial: The exponent of the highest degree term in a polynomial is known as its degree. Constant polynomial: A polynomial of degree zero is known as constant polynomial. E.g. Linear polynomial: A polynomial of degree one is known as linear polynomial e.g. + Quadratic polynomial: A polynomial of degree two is known as quadratic polynomial e.g. + + Cubic polynomial: A polynomial of degree two is known as cubic polynomial e.g. + + + Bi-quadratic polynomial: A polynomial of degree four is known as biquadratic polynomial e.g. + + Value of a polynomial: The value of a polynomial ( ) at = is obtained by substituting = in the given polynomial and is denoted by ( ). Zero or root of a polynomial: A real number polynomial ( ) = + + ( ) = 0 i.e. ( ) = + + = 0. is root or zero of + + if + +

Some important facts:

1. Integral Root Theorem: If ( ) is polynomial with integral coefficients and the leading coefficient is 1, then any integer root of ( ) is a factor of the constant term. E.g. ( ) = + 2 11 12 has an integer root, then it is one of the factors of 12 which are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 . In fact 3 is a root of a polynomial as (3) = 0.

2. Rational root Theorem: Let be a rational fraction in its

lowest terms. If is a root of the polynomial ( ) = +

+ + + , 0with integral coefficients. Then, b is factor of constant term and c is a factor of the leading coefficient . 3. An nth degree polynomial can have at most n real roots. 4. Remainder Theorem: Let ( ) be any polynomial of degree greater than or equal to one and a, be any real number. If ( )is divided by ( ), then the remainder is equal to ( ). 5. Factor Theorem: Let ( )be a polynomial greater than or equal to 1 and a, be a real number such that ( ) = 0, then ( ) is factor of ( ). Conversely if ( )is factor of ( ), then ( ) = 0.

Class X Relationship between the zeroes and coefficients of a polynomial

Let the zeroes of a quadratic polynomial be = = . Then

Relationship between the zeroes and coefficients of a quadratic polynomial

Let the zeroes of a quadratic polynomial be = = . Then

Remark: If

are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial ( ). Then the polynomial ( )is given by

( )= [ ( )= [ +(

+( + ) + ) +(

] )]

Relationship between the zeroes and coefficients of a cubic polynomial Let ,

3

be the zeroes of the cubic polynomial ( ) =

+ 2 + + , 0 . Then by factor theorem , , are factor of ( ). Also ( ), being a cubic polynomial cannot have more than three linear factors.

= =

+ +

= + =

Division Algorithm for polynomials

Dividend =Quotient * Divisor + Remainder