Name: Class:
ALGEBRAIC METHODS
Algebraic Fractions
When simplifying an algebraic fraction, where possible factorize the numerator and
denominator and then cancel common factors.
Exercise:
1. Simplify these fractions:
−𝑥 4 +4𝑥 2 +6
(a)
𝑥
7𝑥 3 −𝑥 4 −2
(b)
5𝑥
2. Simplify these fractions as far as possible:
𝑥 2 +10𝑥+21
(a)
𝑥+3
𝑥 2 +3𝑥+2
(b)
𝑥 2 +5𝑥+4
6𝑥 3 +3𝑥 2 −84𝑥 𝑎𝑥(𝑥+𝑏)
3. = , where 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 are constants.
6𝑥 2 −33𝑥+42 𝑥+𝑐
Work out the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐.
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Dividing polynomials
A polynomial is a finite expression with positive whole number indices.
➢ You can use long division to divide a polynomial by (𝑥 ± 𝑝), where 𝑝 is a
constant.
➢ You can use long division to divide a polynomial by (𝑎𝑥 ± 𝑏), where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are
constants.
Exercise:
1. Write each polynomial in the form (𝑥 ± 𝑝)(𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) by dividing:
(a) 𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 3 by (𝑥 + 1)
(b) 2𝑥 3 − 15𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 + 24 by (𝑥 − 6)
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2. Find the remainder when 𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 12 is divided by
i. 𝑥 − 2
ii. 𝑥 + 3
(b) Hence, or otherwise, find all the solutions to the equation 𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 12 = 0
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3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 12𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1.
(a)Show that (4𝑥 − 1) is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥) and write 𝑓(𝑥) in the form
(4𝑥 − 1)(𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) .
(b) Hence, show that the equation 12𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1 = 0 has exactly one real solution.
The factor theorem
The factor theorem states that if 𝑓(𝑥) is a polynomial then:
➢ If 𝑓(𝑝) = 0 , then (𝑥 − 𝑝) is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥)
➢ If (𝑥 − 𝑝) is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥) , then 𝑓(𝑝) = 0
𝑏
➢ If 𝑓 (𝑎) = 0 , then (𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏) is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑏
➢ If (𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏) is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥), then 𝑓 (𝑎) = 0
Exercise:
1. Show that (𝑥 + 1) is a factor of 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 33𝑥 − 35 and hence factorise
the expression completely.
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2. Show that (𝑥 − 2) is a factor of 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 + 8 and hence factorise
the expression completely.
3. Given that (𝑥 − 1) is a factor of 5𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 𝑎 , find the value of 𝑎.
4. Given that (𝑥 − 1) and (2𝑥 − 1) are factors of 𝑝𝑥 3 + 𝑞𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 − 2 , find the value of 𝑝
and 𝑞.
5. (a) Show that (𝑥 − 2) is a factor of 9𝑥 4 − 18𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥.
(b) Hence, find four real solutions to the equation 9𝑥 4 − 18𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 = 0
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The remainder theorem
➢ We can find the remainder when a polynomial is divided by (𝑎𝑥 ± 𝑏) by using
the remainder theorem.
𝑏
➢ If a polynomial 𝑓(𝑥) is divided by (𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏) then the remainder is 𝑓(𝑎).
Exercise:
1. Find the remainder when:
(a) 4𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 1 is divided by (𝑥 − 2)
(b) 64𝑥 3 + 32𝑥 2 − 16𝑥 + 9 is divided by 4𝑥 + 3.
(c) 81𝑥 3 − 81𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 + 6 is divided by (3𝑥 − 2).
2. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 6
Given 𝑔(−1) = 2 , find the remainder when 𝑔(𝑥) is divided by (3𝑥 − 2).
3. The expression 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 gives a remainder of 14 when divided by (𝑥 − 2)
and a remainder of −86 when divided by (𝑥 + 3).
Find the value of 𝑎 and the value of 𝑏.
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Mathematical proof
❖ In a mathematical proof you must
➢ State any information or assumption s you are using
➢ Show every step of your proof clearly
➢ Make sure that every step follows logically from the previous step
➢ Make sure you have covered all possible cases
➢ Write a statement of proof at the end of your working
❖ To prove an identity, you should
➢ Start with the expression on one side of identity
➢ Manipulate that expression algebraically until it matches the other side
➢ Show every step of your algebraic working
Exercise:
1. Prove that 𝑛2 − 𝑛 is an even number for all values of 𝑛.
𝑥
2. Prove that 1+√2 = 𝑥√2 − 𝑥
3. Prove that 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 20 ≥ 4 for all values of 𝑥.
4. The equation 𝑘𝑥 2 + 5𝑘𝑥 + 3 = 0, where 𝑘 is a constant, has no real roots.
12
Prove that 𝑘 satisfies 0 ≤ 𝑘 ≤ 25
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5. Prove that the line 4𝑦 − 3𝑥 + 26 = 0 is tangent to the circle (𝑥 + 4)2 + (𝑦 − 3)2 = 100.
Methods of proof
➢ You can prove a mathematical statement is true by exhaustion. This means
breaking the statement in to smaller cases and proving each case separately.
➢ You can prove a mathematical statement is not true by counter example.
A counter example is the example that does not work for the statement.
You do not need to give more than one , as one is sufficient to dissolve the statement.
Exercise:
1. Prove that when 𝑛 is an integer and 1 ≤ 𝑛 ≤ 6 , then 𝑚 = 𝑛 + 2 is not divisible by 10.
2. Prove that all cube numbers are either multiple of 9 or 1 more or 1 less than
a multiple of 9.
3. A student is trying to prove that 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 < (𝑥 + 𝑦)3
The student writes:
(𝑥 + 𝑦)3 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑦 3
Which is less than 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 since 3𝑥 2 𝑦 + 3𝑥𝑦 2 > 0
(a) Identify the error made in the proof
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(b) Provide a counter example to show that the statement is not true.
4. Prove that for all real values of 𝑥
(𝑥 + 6)2 ≥ 2𝑥 + 1
5. (a) Prove that for any positive numbers 𝑝 and 𝑞 :
𝑝 + 𝑞 ≥ √4𝑝𝑞
(b) Show, by means of a counter example, that this inequality does not hold
when 𝑝 and 𝑞 are both negative.
Past paper questions:
1. June 2019, P2, Question 3
(i) Use algebra to prove that for all real values of x (𝑥 − 4)2 ≥ 2𝑥 − 9 (3)
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(ii) Show that the following statement is untrue
2𝑛 + 1 is a prime number for all values of 𝑛 , n is a natural number. (1)
2. January 2021, P2, question 1
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 + 𝑎𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 5 , where a and b are constants.
When f (x) is divided by (x + 1), the remainder is 4
(a) Show that a + b = −1 (2)
When f (x) is divided by (x − 2), the remainder is −23
(b) Find the value of a and the value of b. (4)
Home works:
1. May 2020, question 3
2. November 2019, question 4
3. January 2020, question 3
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3. May 2020, question 3
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 4
where a and b are constants.
When f(x) is divided by (x + 4), the remainder is –108
(a) Use the remainder theorem to show that
16a + b = 24 (2)
Given also that (2x – 1) is a factor of f(x),
(b) find the value of a and the value of b. (3)
(c) Find 𝑓′(𝑥) (1)
(d) Hence find the exact coordinates of the stationary points of the curve
with equation y = f(x). (4)
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4. November 2019, question 4
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 3)(3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 𝑎) − 35 where 𝑎 is a constant
(a) State the remainder when 𝑓(𝑥) is divided by (𝑥 − 3) (1)
Given (3𝑥 − 2) is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥)
(b) Show that 𝑎 = −17 (2)
(c) Using algebra and showing each step of your working, fully factorize 𝑓(𝑥) (5)
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