2.

Polynomials

Class – X Mathematics
Module 2
Department of Mathematics
P.I.S. Latur
Syllabus to teach (8 Periods)
1. Zeroes of a polynomial.
2. Relationship between zeroes and coefficients of quadratic polynomials.

Polynomials 2
 Period – 1

INTRODUCTION

LO – Recalling and understanding the concept learnt in class IX.

Polynomials
An expression of the form p(x) = 𝑎0 + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 where 𝑎𝑛 ≠ 0, is ATM
called a polynomial in x of degree n. An algebraic
expression in one
variable with
It is generally denoted as P(x), polynomial in x. power whole
number is called
polynomials.
Ex. : 4x + 2, 2y2 – 3y + 4; 5x3 – 4x2 + x – √2
1 1
Expressions like , √𝑥 + 2, etc. are not polynomials.
𝑥−1 𝑥2 + 3𝑥 −1

Types of polynomial based on terms

1. Monomial
An expression containing single term is called monomial.

Ex. : 4x, 5y2, √3𝑥 3 etc

2. Binomial
An expression containing two terms is called binomial.
12
Ex. : 4x + 5, 5y2 + 2y, √3𝑥 3 + 7 x2 etc
3. Trinomial
An expression containing three terms is called trinomial.
12
Ex. : 5x2 + 4x + 5, 5y2 + 2y + 11, √3𝑥 3 + 7 x2 – 7x etc
Degree of polynomial
A polynomial having highest power of the variable is called its degree.
Types of polynomial based on degree ATM
1. Linear polynomial Degree of
3x3y2z is sum
A polynomial of degree 1 is called a linear polynomial.
of powers of
A linear polynomial is of the form p(x) = ax + b where a ≠ 0. all variables
present in the
Ex. : 3x – 5, √2𝑥 + 3 etc. term, i. e. 5.

2. Quadratic polynomial
A polynomial of degree 2 is called a quadratic polynomial.
A quadratic polynomial is of the form p(x) = ax2 + bx + c where a ≠ 0.
Ex. : 3x2 + 5x – 8, 2x2 – 2√2x + 6, y2 + 3, 5x2 + 5x etc.
3. Cubic polynomial
A polynomial of degree 3 is called a cubic polynomial.

Polynomials 3
 A cubic polynomial is of the form p(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d where a ≠ 0. DIY
Make a
Ex : 2x3 - 3x2 + 8x + 1, √2y3 – 2y2 + y - 8 etc.
square of
4. Biquadratic polynomial quadratic
A polynomial of degree 4 is called a biquadratic polynomial. polynomial
2x2 + 3x – 5.
A biquadratic polynomial is of the form p(x) = ax4 + bx3 + cx2 + dx + e where a ≠ 0. You will get...
Ex : 2x4 + 3x3 - 8x2 + 9x + 1, 2y4 etc
CONSTANT POLYNOMIAL
A polynomial containing one term, consisting of a nonzero constant, is called a
constant polynomial.
In general, every nonzero real number is a constant polynomial.
The degree of a nonzero constant polynomial is zero.
9 7
Ex. 6, −8, 14 , − 12 , 𝜋 etc., are all constants polynomials.

ZERO POLYNOMIAL
A polynomial consisting of one term, namely zero, is called a zero polynomial.
The degree of a zero polynomial is not defined.
Home-work – 1
1. Write 5 examples each of monomials, binomials, trinomials.
2. Write 5 examples each of linear, quadratic, cubic and biquadratic polynomials.
3. Which of the following expressions are polynomials in one variable and which are
not? State reasons for your answer.
(i) 4x2 – 3x + 7 (ii) y2 + √2 (iii) 3√𝑡 + t√2
2
(iv) y + 𝑦 (v) x10 + y3 + t50

Period – 2

ZEROES OF POLYNOMIALS
LO – Able to find zeroes of linear and quadratic polynomials.
Value of a polynomial
If p(x) is a polynomial in x and if α is any real number, then the value obtained by
putting x = α in p(x) is called the value of p(x) at x = α.

The value of p(x) at x =  is denoted by p().

Let p(x) = 2x2 – 3x + 5 Then,

p(2) = 2(2)2 – 3(2) + 5 = 2 × 4 + 3 × 2 + 5 = 7,
p(- 1) = 2(- 1)2 – 3(- 1) + 5 = 2 × 1 - 3 × 1 + 5 = 10

Polynomials 4
Zeroes of a polynomial
A real number α is called a zero of the polynomial p(x), if p(α) = 0.

REMARK
1. Finding the zeros of a polynomial 𝑝(𝑥) means solving the equation 𝑝(𝑥) = 0.
2. In fact, a non-zero constant polynomial has no zero.
3. Every real number is a zero of the zero polynomial.
Geometrical Meaning Of Zeroes of a polynomial
 Graphically, 𝑥-co-ordinates of points of intersection of graph of a polynomial
function with 𝑥-axis are the zeroes of the polynomial.
 For a linear polynomial 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑎 ≠ 0, the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 is a straight line
𝑏
which intersects the 𝑥 −axis at exactly one point, namely, (− 𝑎 , 0).

Therefore, the linear polynomial 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑎  0, has exactly one zero, namely, the
𝑥-coordinate of the point where the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 intersects the 𝑥-axis.
For example: The graph of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3 is a straight line passing through the
points (– 2, –1) and (2, 7).
The graph of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3 intersects the x - axis mid-
way between x = –1 and x = – 2, that is, at the point
3 3
(− 2 , 0). We know that the zero of 2x + 3 is − 2.
Thus, the zero of the polynomial 2x + 3 is the x-
coordinate of the point where the graph of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3
intersects the 𝑥 − axis.
 For any quadratic polynomial 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, 𝑎  0, the
graph of the corresponding equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 has one of the two
shapes either open upwards like ⋃ or open downwards like ∩ depending on
whether a > 0 or a < 0. (These curves are called parabolas.)
For the shape of the graph of 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄, the following three cases
can happen:
Case (i) : Here, the graph cuts 𝑥-axis at two distinct points A and A.
The 𝑥 −coordinates of A and A are the two zeroes of the quadratic polynomial
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 in this case.

Polynomials 5
 Case (ii): Here, the graph cuts the 𝑥-axis at exactly one point, i.e., at two coincident
points. So, the two points A and A of Case (i) coincide here to become one point A

The 𝑥-coordinate of A is the only zero for the quadratic polynomial 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 +

𝑐 in this case.

Case (iii) : Here, the graph is either completely above the x-axis or completely
below the 𝑥-axis. So, it does not cut the 𝑥-axis at any point

So, the quadratic polynomial 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 has no zero in this case.

Example 1: Look at the graphs in Figure given below. Each is the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑝(𝑥),
where 𝑝(𝑥) is a polynomial. For each of the graphs, find the number of zeroes of 𝑝(𝑥).

Polynomials 6
 Home-work – 2
1. The graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑝(𝑥) are given in Figure below, for some polynomials p(x).
Find the number of zeroes of p(x), in each case.

Period – 3

ZEROES OF POLYNOMIALS
ATM
LO – Able to find zeroes of linear and quadratic polynomials. In polynomial
p(x) = ax2 +
Example 1: Let p(x) = x2 – 2x – 3 Find (i) p(3) and (ii) p(- 1). What do you conclude? bx + c,
if c is +ve & b
Solution: We have, p(x) = x2 – 2x – 3 is +ve, both
 (i) p(3) = (3)2 – 2(3) – 3 = 9 – 6 – 3 = 0 zeroes are
negative.
(ii) p(- 1) = (- 1)2 – 2(- 1) – 3 = 1 + 2 – 3 = 0 And if c is +ve
& b is –ve,
This shows that 3 and –1 are the zeroes of the polynomial p(x). both zeroes
are positive.
Example 2 : If one zero of the quadratic polynomial kx2 + 3x + k is 2 then find the value
of k. ATM
2
Example 3 : If 3 is a zero of the polynomial 2x + x + k, find the value of k. [CBSE 2010] In polynomial
p(x) = ax2 +
Example 4 : If – 4 is a zero of the polynomial x2 – x – (2k + 2) then find the value of k. bx + c,
if c is – ve
[CBSE 2009] then one zero
is negative
Example 5 : The zeros of the quadratic polynomial x2 + 88x + 125 are
and other zero
(a) both positive (b) both negative is positive.

(c) one positive and one negative (d) both equal

Home-work – 3
1. If one zero of the quadratic polynomial kx2 + 3x + k is 3 then find the value of k.

Polynomials 7
 2. If 2 is a zero of the polynomial 2x2 – x + k, find the value of k.
3. If – 2 is a zero of the polynomial x2 + x – (2k + 2) then find the value of k.
4. If (x + a) is a factor of (2x2 + 2ax + 5x + 10), find the value of a. [CBSE 2010]
5. If the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial x2 + (a + 1) x + b are 2 and –3, then
(a) a = –7, b = –1 (c) a = 5, b = –1
(c) a = 2, b = – 6 (d) a = 0, b = – 6

Period – 4
ZEROES OF QUADRATIC POLYNOMIALS
Fact
LO: Able to understand to find the zeroes of quadratic polynomials. A quadratic
polynomial has
Example 6 : Find the zeroes of the polynomial 2x2 + 5x – 12 at most two
2 × (−12) = −24 zeroes.
Possible factors of 24 are
Solution : 2x2 + 5x – 12
1×24 (Not possible 24 – 1 = 23)
2×12 (Not possible 12 – 2 = 10)
4×6 (Not possible 6 – 4 = 2)
3×8 (possible 8 – 3 = 5)
Select any one pair which gives
sum or difference +5
8 and 3 are required factors
Give the sign of b to bigger factor

p(x) = 2x2 + 8x – 3x – 12 {when have difficulty to take common}

p(x) = x (2x + 8) ____ (2x + 8) Take x common, & repeat the same bracket
−3𝑥 3
= −2
2𝑥
To get middle term, divide (– 3x) by (2x) or (– 12) by (+ 8) { −12 3}
𝑜𝑟 = −2
8

3
p(x) = x (2x + 8) − 2 (2x + 8)
3
p(x) = (2x + 8) (x − 2 )
3
 (2x + 8) = 0 (x − 2 ) = 0
3
 2x = –8 x=2
8 3
 x = – 2 = −4 x=2

Example 7 : Find the zeroes of the polynomial 6x2 – 3 – 7x. (Ncert)

Example 8 : Find the zeroes of the polynomial x2 – 2x – 8. (Ncert)
1
Example 9 : Find the zeroes of the polynomial s2 – s + 4. (Ncert)

Example 10 : Find the zeroes of the polynomial 4u2 + 8u. (Ncert)

Example 11 : Find the zeroes of the polynomial t2 – 15. (Ncert)

Polynomials 8
 Home-work – 4
1. Find the zeroes of the following quadratic polynomials.
(i) x2 + 7x +12 (ii) x2 – 2x – 8
(ii) x2 + 3x – 10 (iv) 4x2 – 4x – 3
4 8
(v) x2 – 5 – 5x [CBSE 2008] (vi) 3x2 – x – 4

(vii) 2x2 – 11x + 15 (viii) 8x2 – 4

Period – 5

RELATION BETWEEN THE ZEROES AND COEFFICIENTS OF A

QUADRATIC POLYNOMIAL
LO: Able to understand relation between the zeroes and coefficients of a quadratic
polynomial.
In general, if α and β are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial p(x) = ax2+ bx + c,
a ≠ 0, then you know that x – α and x – β are the factors of p(x).

 ax2 + bx + c = k (x – α) (x – β), where k is a constant

= k [x2 – (α + β)x + α β]
= kx2 – k (α + β)x + k α β
Comparing the coefficients of x2, x and constant terms on both the sides, we get
a = k, b = – k (α + β) and c = kαβ
−𝑏 𝑐
α+β= and αβ=𝑎
𝑎

Example 12 : Find the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial x2 + 7x + 10, and verify the
relationship between the zeroes and the coefficients. (Ncert)
Solution : x2 + 7x + 10 = (x + 2)(x + 5)
x + 2 = 0 or x + 5 = 0
x = – 2 or x = –5
−7 –(Coefficient of x )
sum of zeroes = – 2 + (–5) = –7 = = ,
1 (Coefficient of x2 )

10 (Constant term )
product of zeroes = (– 2) × (–5) = 10 = = (Coefficient of x2 )
1

Example 13 : Find the zeroes of the polynomial x2 – 3 and verify the relationship between
the zeroes and the coefficients.

Polynomials 9
 3
Example 14 : Find the zeroes of the polynomial x2 – x – 4 and verify the relationship

between the zeroes and the coefficients.

Home-work – 5
1. Find the zeroes of the following quadratic polynomials and verify the relationship
between the zeroes and the coefficients.
(i) x2 + 7x +12 (ii) x2 – 2x – 8
(ii) x2 + 3x – 10 (iv) 4x2 – 4x – 3
4 8
(v) x2 – 5 – 5x [CBSE 2008] (vi) 3x2 – x – 4

(vii) 2x2 – 11x + 15 (viii) 8x2 – 4

Period – 6
FINDING POLYNOMIALS USING ZEROES
LO – Able to learn to form quadratic polynomials using k [x2 – (α + β)x + α β].
Example 15 : Find a quadratic polynomial each with the given numbers as the sum and
product of its zeroes respectively. (Ncert)
1 1
(i) 4, –1 (ii) √2, 3 (iii) 0, √5
1 1
(iv) 1, 1 (v) − 4, 4 (vi) 4, 1

Example 16 : Find the quadratic polynomial, the sum of whose zeros is √2 and their
product is –12. Hence, find the zeros of the polynomial.
Hint : ( divide 12 by 2 (the number from root) i. e. 6 then, find the factors of 6 to get the
middle number, multiply both the factors by √2, that are required factors)
5
Example 17 : Find the quadratic polynomial, the sum of whose zeros is 2 and their product

is 1. Hence, find the zeros of the polynomial.

Home-work – 6
1. Find the quadratic polynomial whose zeros are 2 and –6. Verify the relation
between the coefficients and the zeros of the polynomial.
2 1
2. Find the quadratic polynomial whose zeros are 3 and – 4 · Verify the relation

between the coefficients and the zeros of the polynomial.

3. Find a quadratic polynomial each with the given numbers as the sum and product of
its zeroes respectively. Hence, find the zeros of the polynomial.
(i) 8, 12[CBSE 2008] (ii) 0, –1

Polynomials 10
 5 1
(iii) 2, 1 (iv) √2, 3

4. The number of polynomials having zeroes as –2 and 5 is

(a) 1 (b) 2
(c) 3 (d) more than 3
5. If one of the zeroes of a quadratic polynomial of the form x2+ax + b is the negative
of the other, then it
(a) has no linear term and the constant term is negative.
(b) has no linear term and the constant term is positive.
(c) can have a linear term but the constant term is negative.
(d) can have a linear term but the constant term is positive.

Period – 7
PROBLEMS BASED ON α AND β.
LO – Able to apply the relation between coefficient and zeroes.

Example 18 : If one zero of the polynomial x2 – 4x + 1, is (2 + √3), write the other zero.

Solution : Let α = 2 + √3 and a = 1, b = – 4, c = 1

𝑏
 α + β = −𝑎
−4
 2 + √3 + β = −
1

 2 + √3 + β = 4

 β = 4 – 2 – √3  β = 2 – √3

Other zero is 2 – √3

Example 19 : Find the zeroes of the polynomial x2 + x – p(p + 1).

Solution : Let α and β are the two zeroes
𝑏
 α + β = −𝑎 α+β=–1
𝑐
α=–1–β Now, α β =
𝑎

 (– 1 – β) β = – p(p + 1)

 – β – β2 = – p 2 – p

On comparing we get β=p

Hence α = – 1 – p
Example 20 : If α and β are the zeroes of a polynomial 2x2 + 7x + 5, write the value of

Polynomials 11
 α + β + αβ.
Example 21 : If α and β are the zeroes of the polynomial x2 – 5x + k such that α – β = 1,
find the value of k.
Example 22 : If –2 and 3 are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial x2 + 7(a + 1)x + b then
(a) a = –2, b = 6 (b) a = 2, b = –6
(c) a = –2, b = –6 (d) a = 2, b = 6
Example 23 : If α and β are the zeroes of the polynomial x2 + 6x + 2 then find the value of
1 1
(𝛼 + 𝛽).

Home-work – 7
1. Find the zeroes of the polynomial x2 – 3x – m(m + 3).
𝑚 𝑛
2. If m and n are zeroes of the polynomial 3x2 + 11x – 4, find the value of ( 𝑛 + 𝑚).

3. If α and β are zeroes of the quadratic polynomial x2 – (k + 6)x + 2(2k – 1). Find the
1
value of k if α + β = 2 αβ. [CBSE 2013]

4. If α and β are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial f(x) = 6x2 + x – 2, then find the
value of
1 1
(i) α2 + β2 (ii) (𝛼 + 𝛽) (iii) α2β + αβ2
1 1 𝛼 𝛽
(iv) 𝛼 + 𝛽 – αβ (v) 𝛽 + 𝛼

5. If α and β are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial f(x) = 6x2 + x – 2, then find the
value of
1 1
(i) α2 + β2 (ii) (𝛼 + 𝛽) (iii) α2β + αβ2
1 1 𝛼 𝛽
(iv) 𝛼 + 𝛽 – αβ (v) 𝛽 + 𝛼

Period – 8
LO – Able to concrete the concept of α and β.
Example 24 : If α and β are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial f(x) = x2 – 5x + 4, then
find the value of.
1 1
(i) α2 + β2 (ii) (𝛼 + 𝛽) (iii) α2β + αβ2

1 1 𝛼 𝛽
(iv) 𝛼 + 𝛽 – αβ (v) 𝛽 + 𝛼

Example 25 : If α and β are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial such that α + β = 24
and α – β = 8, find a quadratic polynomial having α and β as its zeroes.

Polynomials 12
Example 26 : If α and β are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial f(x) = kx2 + 4x + 4 such
that α2 + β2 = 24, find the value of k. [CBSE 2015]

Home-work – 8
1. If one of the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial f(x) = 14x2 – 42k2x − 9 is negative
of the other, find the value of k.
2. Find the value of k such that the polynomial x2 – (k + 6)x+ 2(2k + 1) has sum of its
zeros equal to half of their product. [CBSE 2019 Delhi]
3. If sum of the squares of zeroes of the quadratic polynomial f(x) = x2 – 8x + k is 40,
find the value of k. [CBSE 2015]
4. If α and β are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial f(x) = 2x2 + 5x + k such that α2
21
+ β2 + αβ = , find the value of k.
4

Period – 9
Extra Examples
LO – Able to apply the concept.
Example 27 : Quadratic polynomial 2x2 – 3x + 1 has zeroes as α and β. Now form a
quadratic polynomial whose zeroes are 3α and 3β. [CBSE 2015]
Example 28 : If α and β are the zeroes of the polynomial 6y2 – 7y + 2, find a quadratic
1 1
polynomial whose zeroes are 𝛼 and 𝛽 .[CBSE 2011]

Example 29 : If α and β are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial f(x) = x2 – 2x + 3, then
find a quadratic polynomial whose zeroes are α + 2 and β + 2.
Example 30 : Quadratic polynomial x2 – 5x – 6 has zeroes as α and β. Now form a
quadratic polynomial whose zeroes are 2α and 2β.
Home-work – 9
1. Quadratic polynomial 3x2 – 5x – 8 has zeroes as α and β. Now form a quadratic
polynomial whose zeroes are 3α and 3β.
2. If α and β are the zeroes of the polynomial 3y2 – 5y + 2, find a quadratic polynomial
1 1
whose zeroes are 𝛼 and 𝛽.

3. If α and β are the zeroes of the quadratic polynomial f(x) = x2 – 7x + 12, then find a
quadratic polynomial whose zeroes are α + 2 and β + 2.
4. Quadratic polynomial 2x2 – 3x – 9 has zeroes as α and β. Now form a quadratic
polynomial whose zeroes are 2α and 2β.

Polynomials 13