The relationship between the coefficients of the polynomials

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 123 views

Introduction

In algebra, the relationship between the roots of two polynomials can be used to derive various properties and characteristics of the polynomials. In this article, we will explore the relationship between the zeroes of two polynomials, $x^2 + px + q$ and $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ , where the zeroes of the first polynomial are twice the zeroes of the second polynomial.

The zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$

To find the zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ , we can use the quadratic formula, which states that the roots of a quadratic equation $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$ are given by:

x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}

In this case, the coefficients of the polynomial are $a = 4$ , $b = -5$ , and $c = -6$ . Plugging these values into the quadratic formula, we get:

x = \frac{-(-5) \pm \sqrt{(-5)^2 - 4(4)(-6)}}{2(4)}

Simplifying the expression, we get:

x = \frac{5 \pm \sqrt{25 + 96}}{8}

x = \frac{5 \pm \sqrt{121}}{8}

x = \frac{5 \pm 11}{8}

Therefore, the zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ are:

x = \frac{5 + 11}{8} = \frac{16}{8} = 2

x = \frac{5 - 11}{8} = \frac{-6}{8} = -\frac{3}{4}

The zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$

Since the zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ are twice the zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ , we can find the zeroes of the first polynomial by multiplying the zeroes of the second polynomial by 2.

The zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ are $x = 2$ and $x = -\frac{3}{4}$ . Multiplying these values by 2, we get:

x = 2 \times 2 = 4

x = 2 \times \left(-\frac{3}{4}\right) = -\frac{3}{2}

Therefore, the zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ are $x = 4$ and $x = -\frac{3}{2}$ .

The relationship between the coefficients of the polynomials

The coefficients of a polynomial are related to the roots of the polynomial through the following relationships:

The sum of the roots of a polynomial is equal to the negation of the coefficient of the linear term, divided by the coefficient of the quadratic term.
The product of the roots of a polynomial is equal to the constant term, divided by the coefficient of the quadratic term.

Using these relationships, we can find the value of $p$ in the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ .

The sum of the roots of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ is:

\frac{-p}{1} = 4 + \left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)

Simplifying the expression, we get:

-p = 4 - \frac{3}{2}

-p = \frac{8}{2} - \frac{3}{2}

-p = \frac{5}{2}

Therefore, the value of $p$ is:

p = -\frac{5}{2}

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the relationship between the zeroes of two polynomials, $x^2 + px + q$ and $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ , where the zeroes of the first polynomial are twice the zeroes of the second polynomial. We found the zeroes of the second polynomial using the quadratic formula and then multiplied them by 2 to find the zeroes of the first polynomial. Finally, we used the relationships between the coefficients of a polynomial and its roots to find the value of $p$ in the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ . The value of $p$ is $\boxed{-\frac{5}{2}}$ .

Q: What is the relationship between the zeroes of the two polynomials?

A: The zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ are twice the zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ . This means that if the zeroes of the second polynomial are $r_1$ and $r_2$ , then the zeroes of the first polynomial are $2r_1$ and $2r_2$ .

Q: How do you find the zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ ?

A: To find the zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ , we can use the quadratic formula, which states that the roots of a quadratic equation $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$ are given by:

x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}

In this case, the coefficients of the polynomial are $a = 4$ , $b = -5$ , and $c = -6$ . Plugging these values into the quadratic formula, we get:

x = \frac{-(-5) \pm \sqrt{(-5)^2 - 4(4)(-6)}}{2(4)}

Simplifying the expression, we get:

x = \frac{5 \pm \sqrt{25 + 96}}{8}

x = \frac{5 \pm \sqrt{121}}{8}

x = \frac{5 \pm 11}{8}

Therefore, the zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ are:

x = \frac{5 + 11}{8} = \frac{16}{8} = 2

x = \frac{5 - 11}{8} = \frac{-6}{8} = -\frac{3}{4}

Q: How do you find the zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ ?

A: Since the zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ are twice the zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ , we can find the zeroes of the first polynomial by multiplying the zeroes of the second polynomial by 2.

The zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ are $x = 2$ and $x = -\frac{3}{4}$ . Multiplying these values by 2, we get:

x = 2 \times 2 = 4

x = 2 \times \left(-\frac{3}{4}\right) = -\frac{3}{2}

Therefore, the zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ are $x = 4$ and $x = -\frac{3}{2}$ .

Q: How do you find the value of $p$ in the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ ?

A: The value of $p$ can be found using the relationships between the coefficients of a polynomial and its roots. The sum of the roots of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ is:

\frac{-p}{1} = 4 + \left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)

Simplifying the expression, we get:

-p = 4 - \frac{3}{2}

-p = \frac{8}{2} - \frac{3}{2}

-p = \frac{5}{2}

Therefore, the value of $p$ is:

p = -\frac{5}{2}

Q: What is the significance of the value of $p$ in the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ ?

A: The value of $p$ is significant because it determines the shape of the parabola represented by the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ . If $p$ is positive, the parabola opens upwards. If $p$ is negative, the parabola opens downwards.

Q: Can you provide an example of a polynomial with a positive value of $p$ ?

A: Yes, an example of a polynomial with a positive value of $p$ is $x^2 + 5x + 6$ . In this case, the value of $p$ is $5$ , which is positive.

Q: Can you provide an example of a polynomial with a negative value of $p$ ?

A: Yes, an example of a polynomial with a negative value of $p$ is $x^2 - 5x + 6$ . In this case, the value of $p$ is $-5$ , which is negative.

Q: What is the relationship between the zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ and the value of $p$ ?

A: The zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ are related to the value of $p$ through the following relationship:

\frac{-p}{1} = r_1 + r_2

where $r_1$ and $r_2$ are the zeroes of the polynomial.

Q: Can you provide a summary of the key points discussed in this article?

A: Yes, the key points discussed in this article are:

The zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ are twice the zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ .
The zeroes of the polynomial $4x^2 - 5x - 6$ are $x = 2$ and $x = -\frac{3}{4}$ .
The zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ are $x = 4$ and $x = -\frac{3}{2}$ .
The value of $p$ can be found using the relationships between the coefficients of a polynomial and its roots.
The value of $p$ determines the shape of the parabola represented by the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ .
The zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + px + q$ are related to the value of $p$ through the following relationship: $\frac{-p}{1} = r_1 + r_2$ .