Mathematics Higher Level for the IB Diploma
Self-assessment: 3 Polynomials
1. The graphs below all have polynomial equations. Find the equation of the lowest possible order
polynomial for each graph.
(a)
(b)
[6 marks]
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Mathematics Higher Level for the IB Diploma
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2. The polynomial 3x – ax + 4x + b has a factor(x – 2) and gives remainder 3 when divided by
(x + 1). Find the values of a and b.
(accessible to students on the path to grade 3 or 4) [4 marks]
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3. The polynomial equation a3x + a2x + 5x + 12 = 0 has three real roots whose sum is 5 and
whose product is −16. Find the values of a2and a3.
(accessible to students on the path to grade 3 or 4) [4 marks]
2
4. Find the value of k for which the curve with equation y = kx – 3x + 6 is tangent to the x-axis.
(accessible to students on the path to grade 5 or 6) [3 marks]
5. Do not use a calculator to answer this question.
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Show that (x + 2) is a factor of f(x) = 2x + 3x – 12x – 20. Factorise f(x) completely.
(accessible to students on the path to grade 5 or 6) [6 marks]
2
6. Show that the graph of y = x – (m + 3)x + (m + 1) crosses the x-axis for all values of m.
(accessible to students on the path to grade 7) [5 marks]
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