CAIE A-Level Further Math AS 1.1 Roots of Polynomial Equations Questions

Practise using polynomial roots and transformations to build new equations, evaluate sums of powers and solve for constants.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Further Mathematics 9231
Level
AS

Exam points

  • transform roots with y=2x+1 or y=x^4, then form the new polynomial

Question 1

[Maximum number: 9]

The equation x4x2+2x+5=0x^{4}-x^{2}+2 x+5=0 has roots α,β,γ,δ\alpha, \beta, \gamma, \delta.

Question (a)

(a)

Find a quartic equation whose roots are α2,β2,γ2,δ2\alpha^{2}, \beta^{2}, \gamma^{2}, \delta^{2} and state the value of α2+β2+γ2+δ2\alpha^{2}+\beta^{2}+\gamma^{2}+\delta^{2}.

[ 4 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Find the value of 1α2+1β2+1γ2+1δ2\frac{1}{\alpha^{2}}+\frac{1}{\beta^{2}}+\frac{1}{\gamma^{2}}+\frac{1}{\delta^{2}}.

[ 3 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Find the value of α4+β4+γ4+δ4\alpha^{4}+\beta^{4}+\gamma^{4}+\delta^{4}.

[ 2 ]

Question 2

[Maximum number: 8]

The cubic equation 6x3+px23x5=06 x^{3}+p x^{2}-3 x-5=0, where p is a constant, has roots α,β,γ\alpha, \beta, \gamma.

Question (a)

(a)

Find a cubic equation whose roots are α2,β2,γ2\alpha^{2}, \beta^{2}, \gamma^{2}.

[ 3 ]

Question (b)

(b)

It is given that α2+β2+γ2=2(α+β+γ)\alpha^{2}+\beta^{2}+\gamma^{2}=2(\alpha+\beta+\gamma).

[ 5 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Find the value of p.

[ 3 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Find the value of α3+β3+γ3\alpha^{3}+\beta^{3}+\gamma^{3}.

[ 2 ]
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