CHAPTER 2
POLYNOMIALS
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| 1. | x is a variable and a₀, a₁, a₂, … aₙ are real numbers, n is a positive integer. f(x) = a₀ + a₁x + a₂x² + … + aₙxⁿ is a polynomial in x. |
| 2. | The exponent of the highest degree term is called the degree of the polynomial. |
| 3. | Constant Polynomial: f(x) = a, where a is constant. |
| Linear Polynomial: f(x) = ax + b, a ≠ 0 Quadratic Polynomial: Cubic Polynomial: | |
| 4. | A real number a is a zero of the polynomial f(x) if f(a) = 0. |
| 5. | A polynomial of degree n can have at most n real zeros. |
| 6. | Geometrically, the zeros of the polynomial f(x) are the x-coordinates where y = f(x) intersects the x-axis. |
| 7. | If α and β are the zeroes of f(x) = ax² + bx + c, then: |
| Sum of the Zeroes: α + β = −b/a Product of the Zeroes: | |
| 8. | If sum and product of zeroes are given, then the quadratic polynomial is: k[x² − x(sum of zeroes) + (product of zeroes)] k[x² − x(α + β) + αβ] |
| 9. | If α + β and αβ are known:
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| 10. | If α, β, γ are the zeroes of the cubic polynomial f(x) = ax³ + bx² + cx + d, then:
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