PSAT Math : Polynomials

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Multiplying And Dividing Polynomials

Multiply:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This product fits the sum of cubes pattern, where :

So

Example Question #7 : Polynomial Operations

If 3 less than 15 is equal to 2x, then 24/x must be greater than

 

Possible Answers:

5

6

3

4

Correct answer:

3

Explanation:

Set up an equation for the sentence: 15 – 3 = 2x and solve for x.  X equals 6. If you plug in 6 for x in the expression 24/x, you get 24/6 = 4. 4 is only choice greater than a. 

 

 

Example Question #8 : Polynomial Operations

Given a♦b = (a+b)/(a-b) and b♦a = (b+a)/(b-a), which of the following statement(s) is(are) true:

I. a♦b = -(b♦a)

II. (a♦b)(b♦a) = (a♦b)2

III. a♦b + b♦a = 0

Possible Answers:

I only

I and III

II & III

I, II and III

I and II

Correct answer:

I and III

Explanation:

Notice that - (a-b) = b-a, so statement I & III are true after substituting the expression. Substitute the expression for statement II gives ((a+b)/(a-b))((a+b)/(b-a))=((a+b)(b+a))/((-1)(a-b)(a-b))=-1 〖(a+b)〗2/〖(a-b)〗2 =-((a+b)/(a-b))2 = -(a♦b)2 ≠ (a♦b)2

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Polynomials

If a positive integer a is divided by 7, the remainder is 4.  What is the remainder if 3a + 5 is divided by 3?

Possible Answers:

2

3

4

5

6

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

The best way to solve this problem is to plug in an appropriate value for a.  For example, plug-in 11 for because 11 divided by 7 will give us a remainder of 4. 

Then 3a + 5, where = 11, gives us 38.  Then 38 divided by 3 gives a remainder of 2.

 

The algebra method is as follows:

a divided by 7 gives us some positive integer b, with a remainder of 4.

Thus,

/ 7 = b  4/7

/ 7 = (7b + 4) / 7

a = (7b + 4)

 

then 3a + 5 = 3 (7+ 4) + 5

(3a+5)/3 = [3(7+ 4) + 5] / 3

= (7+ 4) + 5/3

The first half of this expression (7b + 4) is a positive integer, but the second half of this expression (5/3) gives us a remainder of 2.

Example Question #1 : Polynomials

 

 

Polydivision1

Possible Answers:

45

100

36

42

38

Correct answer:

42

Explanation:

Polydivision2

 

 Polydivision4

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Polynomials

What is the remainder when the polynomial  is divided by  ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

By the remainder theorem, if a polynomial  is divided by the linear binomial , the remainder is  - that is, the polynomial evaluated at . The remainder of dividing  by  is the dividend evaluated at , which is

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Polynomials

Simplify: 

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Cancel by subtracting the exponents of like terms:

Example Question #1 : Binomials

Decrease  by 40%. Which of the following will this be equal to?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A number decreased by 40% is equivalent to 100% of the number minus 40% of the number. This is taking 60% of the number, or, equivalently, multiplying it by 0.6. 

Therefore,  decreased by 40% is 0.6 times this, or

Example Question #2 : How To Multiply Binomials With The Distributive Property

Find the product:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Find the product:

Use the distributive property:

Write the resulting expression in standard form:

Example Question #1 : How To Simplify Binomials

If 〖(x+y)〗= 144 and 〖(x-y)〗= 64, what is the value of xy?

 

 

Possible Answers:

16

18

22

20

Correct answer:

20

Explanation:

We first expand each binomial to get x2 + 2xy + y2 = 144  and x2 - 2xy + y2 = 64. We then subtract the second equation from the first to find 4xy = 80. Finally, we divide each side by 4 to find xy = 20.

 

 

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