Name_________________________________________________________ Date __________

Notes: I can add, subtract and multiply polynomials.

4.2 I can use Pascal’s triangle to expand binomials.
Practice:
In Exercises 1–3, find the sum or difference.

( ) (
1. − 4 x 2 − 6 x + 18 + − x 2 + 7 x + 8 ) 2. (6 x 2 − 12 x + 48) − ( − x 2 + 24 x − 63)

( ) (
3. −11x 4 − x 3 − 3 x 2 + 10 x − 2 − −11x 4 + 5 x 2 − 7 x + 13 )

In Exercises 4–7, find the product.

(
4. 2 x 2 2 x3 − x 2 + 3 x − 5 ) 5. ( x4 − 10 x 2 + 25)(3x 2 − 6 x − 1)

6. ( x + 1)( x − 2)( x + 6) 7. (2x − 3)(6 − x)(4 − 5x)

Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC Algebra 2 83

All rights reserved. Student Journal
 Core Concepts
Special Product Patterns
Sum and Difference Example

(a + b)(a − b) = a 2 − b2 ( x + 3)( x − 3) = x2 − 9

Square of a Binomial Example

(a + b) = a 2 + 2ab + b 2
2
(y + 4) = y 2 + 8 y + 16
2

(a − b) = a 2 − 2ab + b 2
2
(2t − 5) = 4t 2 − 20t + 25
2

Cube of a Binomial Example

(a + b) = a 3 + 3a 2b + 3ab 2 + b3
3
(z + 3) = z 3 + 9 z 2 + 27 z + 27
3

(a − b) = a 3 − 3a 2b + 3ab 2 − b3
3
(m − 2) = m3 − 6m 2 + 12m − 8
3

Examples:
1) Use the formula to find (3x − 2) 2 2) Use the formula to find (3x − 2)3

3) (3 y − 8)(3 y + 8) 4) (2v − 1)
3

84 Algebra 2 Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC

Student Journal All rights reserved.
Pascal’s Triangle DAY 2
Pascal’s Triangle is named after French mathematician Blaise Pascal (1623 – 1662). In Pascal’s Triangle,
the first and last numbers in each row are 1. Every number other than 1 is the sum of the closest two
numbers in the row directly above it. The numbers in Pascal’s Triangle are the same numbers that are the
coefficients of binomial expansions, as shown in the first six rows.
n (a + b)
n
Binomial Expansion Pascal’s Triangle

0th row 0 (a + b) =
0 1
1
1a + 1b
1st row 1 (a + b) =
1
1 1
1a 2 + 2ab + 1b 2
2nd row 2 ( a + b) =
2
1 2 1

3rd row 3 (a + b) =
3 1a 3 + 3a 2b + 3ab 2 + 1b3 1 3 3 1

4th row 4 (a + b) =
4
1a 4 + 4a 3b + 6a 2b 2 + 4ab3 + 1b 4 1 4 6 4 1

5th row 5 (a + b) = 1a 5 + 5a 4b + 10a 3b 2 + 10a 2b3 + 5ab 4 + 1b 5 1

5
5 10 10 5 1

Examples: Use Pascal’s triangle to expand the binomial.

Ex 1: ( x + 3)4 Ex. 2: (2 x − 5)5

Ex. 3: Find the fourth term of (3x − 2 y )6

Ex. 4: Find the fourth term of (2 xy − 3)7

Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC Algebra 2 85

All rights reserved. Student Journal
Name _________________________________________________________ Date _________

Notes
4.3 Learning Goals: I can use long division to divide polynomials by other polynomials. I
can use synthetic division to divide polynomials by binomials of the form x – k. I can
Vocabulary use the remainder theorem to find y-values.

polynomial long division - 1) Divide the leading term of the dividend by the leading term of the divisor.
2) Then multiply. 3) Then subtract. 4) Then bring down. 5) Keep going until finished

synthetic division – 1) Write out the coefficients of each term, including 0, if needed. 2) When dividing
by x – k, then put k in a box as the divisor. 3) Bring down the first coefficient in the dividend, then
multiply the divisor by bottom number, add it to the next dividend number. Continue to multiply, add,
multiply add, etc. until finished.

Core Concepts
The Remainder Theorem
If a polynomial f ( x ) is divided by x − k , then the remainder is r = f ( k ).

Notes:
Ex 1: Divide P(x) by f(x) using both methods. P( x) = x3 − 2 x 2 + x + 1 f ( x) = x + 1

86 Algebra 2 Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC

Student Journal All rights reserved.
Name_________________________________________________________ Date __________

4.3 Practice

Divide using polynomial long division.

1. ( x3 − 4 x 2 )  ( x 2 − 16) 2. ( 4 x3 + 13x 2 + 27 x + 6)  ( 4 x + 1)

Divide using synthetic division.

( )
3. x 2 − 10 x + 2  ( x − 2) ( )
4. 2 x 3 − 54  ( x + 3)

Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC Algebra 2 87

All rights reserved. Student Journal
Name _________________________________________________________ Date _________

4.3 Practice

Match the equivalent expressions. Justify your answers. (on your own)

5. ( x2 − x − 8)  ( x − 4) A. x + 3 +
4
x−4

6. ( x2 − x + 8)  ( x − 4) B. x + 5 +
12
x−4

7. ( x2 + x − 8)  ( x − 4) C. x + 5 +
28
x−4

8. ( x2 + x + 8)  ( x − 4) D. x + 3 +
20
x−4

On #9, use synthetic division to evaluate the function for the indicated value of x.

9. f ( x) = − x 4 + x 2 + 4; x = −1

( )
10. What is the value of k such that − x 4 + 5 x 2 + kx − 8  ( x − 4) has a remainder of 0?

88 Algebra 2 Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC

Student Journal All rights reserved.
Name_________________________________________________________ Date __________

Learning Goals: I can factor polynomials. I can use the factor

4.4 theorem.
Notes 4.4 Part 1
Vocabulary
factored completely – when a polynomial is written as a product of unfactorable polynomials

factor by grouping – use this when there are pairs of terms that have a common monomial factor

quadratic form – in the form, au 2 + bu + c

Core Concepts
Special Factoring Patterns
Sum/Diff of Two Cubes Example

a 3 + b3 = ( a + b)( a 2 − ab + b 2 ) 64 x3 + 1 = ( 4 x) + 13
3

= ( 4 x + 1)(16 x 2 − 4 x + 1)

Difference of Two Cubes Example

a 3 − b3 = ( a − b)( a 2 + ab + b 2 ) 27 x3 − 8 = (3 x) − 23
3

= (3x − 2)(9 x 2 + 6 x + 4)

Notes:
a 3  b 3 = ( a  b )( a 2 ab + b 2 )

Factor each of the following:

1) 1000 x3 + 27

2) 8 x3 − 125 y 6

Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC Algebra 2 89

All rights reserved. Student Journal
Extra Practice
4.4 Notes 4.4 Part 1

In Exercises 1–12, factor the polynomial completely.

1. 20 x3 − 220 x2 + 600 x 2. m5 − 81m

3. 27a3 + 8b3 4. 5t 6 + 2t 5 − 5t 4 − 2t 3

5. y 4 − 13 y 2 − 48 6. 5 p 3 + 5 p − 7 p 2 − 7

7. 810k 4 − 160 8. a5 + a3 − a 2 − 1

9. 2 x6 − 8x5 − 42 x4 10. 5z 3 + 5z 2 − 6 z − 6

11. 3m2 − 48m6 12. 4 x3 − 4 x2 + x

90 Algebra 2 Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC

Student Journal All rights reserved.
 4.4

NOTES 4.4 Part 2

The Factor Theorem

A polynomial f ( x ) has a factor x − k if and only if f ( k ) = 0.

Notes:
Ex 1: Determine whether the binomial is a factor of the polynomial: g ( x) = x3 + 3x − 6; x − 2

Ex.2: Show that the binomial is a factor of the polynomial. Then factor the polynomial
completely. s( x) = x3 + 2 x 2 − 9 x − 18; x + 2

Show that the binomial is a factor of the polynomial. Then factor the function
completely.

3. f ( x) = x3 − 13x − 12; x + 1

4. f ( x) = 6 x3 + 8x 2 − 34 x − 12; x − 2

5. f ( x) = 2 x4 − 12 x3 + 6 x2 + 20 x; x − 5

Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC Algebra 2 91

All rights reserved. Student Journal
Answer the following:

a) What is the height when the ride begins?

b) What is the lowest point that the roller coaster goes?

c) What is the coaster’s height at five seconds?

d) Why do you think h(t ) is not an accurate function for the entire time the coaster is travelling?

Need a challenge? Section 4.4 – p. 185 #71, 75 & Section 4.5 – p. 194 #55
92 Algebra 2 Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC
Student Journal All rights reserved.
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date __________

Notes: Learning Goals: I can find solutions of polynomial equations and

4.5 zeros of polynomial functions. I can use the Rational Roots Theorem.
I can use the Irrational Conjugates Theorem.

Section 4.5 Part 1:

Vocabulary:
repeated solution: Also called a multiplicity. This is when a factor appears more than once.

When multiplicity is ODD power, then the graph crosses thru the x-intercept. When multiplicity is EVEN
power, then the graph touches or bounces at the x-intercept.

Practice
In Exercises 1–4, solve the equation.

1. 36r 3 − r = 0 2. 20 x3 + 80 x 2 = − 60 x

3. −13 y 2 + 36 = − y 4 4. − 20c 2 + 50c = 8c3 − 125

In Exercises 5-7, find the zeros of the function. Then sketch a graph of the function.

5. f ( x) = x4 − x3 − 12 x2 6. f ( x) = x3 + 4 x2 − 6 x − 24

Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC Algebra 2 93

All rights reserved. Student Journal
7. f ( x) = x 4 − 18x 2 + 81

Core Concepts (Section 4.5 Part 2)

The Rational Root Theorem
If f ( x) = an x n + + a1x + a0 has integer coefficients, then every rational solution
of f ( x) = 0 has the following form:

p factor of constant term a0

=
q factor of leading coefficient an

1. Find the possible rational roots of f ( x) = 3x 4 + 2 x 2 − 4 x + 12

2. Find all the zeros of the function f ( x) = x3 + 6 x 2 − x − 30

94 Algebra 2 Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC

Student Journal All rights reserved.
 4.5

3. According to the Rational Root Theorem, which is not a possible solution of the equation
2 x4 + 3x3 − 6 x + 7 = 0?
A. 3.5 B. 0.5 C. 7 D. 2

4. Find all the real zeros of the function f ( x) = 3x 4 + 11x3 − 40 x 2 − 132 x + 48.

The Irrational Conjugates Theorem

Let f be a polynomial function with rational coefficients, and let a and b be rational
numbers such that b is irrational. If a + b is a zero of f, then a − b is also a
zero of f.

5. Write a polynomial function g of least degree that has rational coefficients, a leading coefficient of 1,
and the zeros − 5 and 4 + 2.

6. Use the information in the graph to answer the questions.

a. What are the real zeros of the function f ?

b. Write an equation of the cubic function in factored form.

Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC Algebra 2 95

All rights reserved. Student Journal
7: Suppose a polynomial of degree 5 has solutions of −4, 2 − 3, 5+ 7 . Find
the other solutions.

96 Algebra 2 Copyright © Big Ideas Learning, LLC

Student Journal All rights reserved.