Teacher Lesson Plan: Class 10 — Mathematics —

Polynomials

Chapter Test – Polynomials

Subject: Mathematics | Class: Class 10

Time Allowed: 60 minutes | Maximum Marks: 50 marks

General Instructions:

1. All questions are compulsory.

2. The question paper is divided into 4 sections: A, B, C, and D.
3. Section A: Objective Type (10 MCQs + 5 FIB + 5 MTF + 5 OWA) – 20 marks
4. Section B: Short Answer Type I (4 questions) - 2 marks each – 8 marks
5. Section C: Short Answer Type II (4 questions) - 3 marks each (Internal choice provided)
– 12 marks
6. Section D: Long Answer (2 questions) - 5 marks each (Internal choice provided) – 10
marks
7. Read each question carefully before attempting.
8. Marks are indicated against each question.
9. Draw neat labeled diagrams wherever required.

Section A: Objective Type Questions (20 marks)

Part I: Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

Instructions: Choose the correct option for each question.

1. Which of the following is a quadratic polynomial?

• (a) $x^3 + 2x^2 + 1$
• (b) $x^2 - 3x + 4$
• (c) $2x + 5$
• (d) $x^4 + x^2$
(1 mark)
 2. The degree of the polynomial $p(x) = 3x^3 - 5x^2 - 11x - 3$ is:
• (a) 1
• (b) 2
• (c) 3
• (d) 4
(1 mark)

3. If $p(x) = x^2 - 3x - 4$, what is $p(0)$?

• (a) $-3$
• (b) $-4$
• (c) $0$
• (d) $4$
(1 mark)

4. The zeroes of $p(x) = x^2 - 3x - 4$ are:

• (a) $-1$ and $4$
• (b) $1$ and $-4$
• (c) $3$ and $-4$
• (d) $-3$ and $4$
(1 mark)

5. The graph of $y = p(x)$ touches the x-axis at only one point. The number of zeroes is:
• (a) 0
• (b) 1
• (c) 2
• (d) 3
(1 mark)

6. Which of the following is NOT a polynomial?

• (a) $x^2 + \sqrt{x} + 1$
• (b) $x^3 - 2x + 5$
• (c) $2x + 4$
• (d) $x^4 + 3x^2$
(1 mark)

7. If $k$ is a zero of $p(x) = ax + b$, then $k$ equals:

• (a) $-\frac{b}{a}$
• (b) $\frac{a}{b}$
 • (c) $a + b$
• (d) $ab$
(1 mark)

8. The sum of the zeroes of $ax^2 + bx + c$ is:

• (a) $-\frac{c}{a}$
• (b) $-\frac{b}{a}$
• (c) $\frac{b}{a}$
• (d) $\frac{c}{a}$
(1 mark)

9. The product of the zeroes of $ax^2 + bx + c$ is:

• (a) $-\frac{b}{a}$
• (b) $\frac{c}{a}$
• (c) $-\frac{c}{a}$
• (d) $\frac{b}{a}$
(1 mark)

10. Which of the following statements is correct regarding cubic polynomials?

• (a) They have at most 2 zeroes
• (b) They have at most 3 zeroes
• (c) They have at most 4 zeroes
• (d) They have at least 1 zero
(1 mark)

Part II: Fill in the Blanks (1 mark each)

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with appropriate word(s).

11. The value obtained by replacing $x$ by $k$ in $p(x)$ is called the value of $p(x)$ at $x
= k$, denoted by $p(\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_)$. (1 mark)

12. The zero of the linear polynomial $ax + b$ is $-\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_ / a$. (1 mark)

13. A quadratic polynomial can have at most $\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_$ zeroes. (1 mark)

14. The zeroes of a polynomial are the $\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_$-coordinates where its graph
intersects the x-axis. (1 mark)

15. If $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are zeroes of $ax^2 + bx + c$, then $\alpha \beta =
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_$. (1 mark)
Part III: Match the Following (1 mark each)
Instructions: Match Column A with Column B. Write the correct option (a, b, c, d, e) against
each number.

16. Match the following:

Column A Column B

(i) Linear polynomial (a) $ax^2 + bx + c$

(ii) Quadratic polynomial (b) $ax + b$

(iii) Cubic polynomial (c) $ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d$

(iv) Zero of polynomial (d) Value of $x$ for which $p(x) = 0$

(v) Degree of polynomial (e) Highest power of $x$

Answer Format: (i)-_, (ii)-_, (iii)-_, (iv)-_, (v)-_

Part IV: One Word Answer (1 mark each)

Instructions: Answer the following questions in one word or one short phrase.

17. What is the degree of $p(x) = x^2 - 3x - 4$? (1 mark)

18. What is the term for a polynomial of degree 3? (1 mark)

19. What is the value of $p(-1)$ for $p(x) = x^2 - 3x - 4$? (1 mark)

20. What is the sum of zeroes of $x^2 - 5x + 6$? (1 mark)

21. What is the product of zeroes of $x^2 + 3x + 2$? (1 mark)

Section B: Short Answer Type I (2 marks each)

Instructions: Answer the following questions in 50-75 words approximately.

22. Define a polynomial. Give one example. (2 marks)

23. What is meant by the zero of a polynomial? Explain with an example. (2 marks)

24. State the relationship between the zeroes and coefficients of a quadratic polynomial.
(2 marks)

25. How is the number of zeroes of a polynomial determined using its graph? (2 marks)
Section C: Short Answer Type II (3 marks each)
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 75-100 words approximately. Internal choice
is provided in some questions.

26. Find the zeroes of the polynomial $p(x) = x^2 - 5x + 6$ and verify the relationship
between the zeroes and coefficients. (3 marks)

27. Explain the geometrical meaning of zeroes of a polynomial with reference to the
graph of $y = p(x)$. (3 marks)

OR

Describe how the graph of a cubic polynomial can have three zeroes. (3 marks)

28. If $p(x) = 2x + 3$, find its zero and explain how it relates to the coefficients. (3 marks)

OR

For $p(x) = 4x^2 - x - 4$, find the sum and product of its zeroes without actually finding the
zeroes. (3 marks)

29. Verify that $3$, $-1$, and $-\frac{1}{3}$ are the zeroes of $p(x) = 3x^3 - 5x^2 - 11x - 3$.
(3 marks)

Section D: Long Answer Questions (5 marks each)

Instructions: Answer in detail (150-200 words). Show all working. Draw neat labeled
diagrams. Internal choice is provided in some questions.

30. Explain the relationship between the zeroes and coefficients of a cubic polynomial
$ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d$ with a neat diagram. Include:
(a) Definition (1 mark)

(b) Derivation of relationships (2 marks)

(c) Explanation with example (2 marks) (5 marks)

OR

Derive the relationship between the zeroes and coefficients of a quadratic polynomial $ax^2
+ bx + c$, and illustrate with an example. (5 marks)

31. Draw the graph of $y = x^2 - 3x - 4$ and indicate its zeroes. Explain how the graph
shows the zeroes. (5 marks)

OR
Show, with an example, how a polynomial can have more than one zero. Explain with
reference to its graph. (5 marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

MARKING SCHEME

Section A: Very Short Answer Questions

Q1. Which of the following is a quadratic polynomial? (1 mark)

• Answer: (b) $x^2 - 3x + 4$

• Keywords: quadratic polynomial, degree 2

Q2. The degree of the polynomial $p(x) = 3x^3 - 5x^2 - 11x - 3$ is: (1 mark)

• Answer: (c) 3
• Keywords: degree, cubic

Q3. If $p(x) = x^2 - 3x - 4$, what is $p(0)$? (1 mark)

• Answer: (b) $-4$

• Keywords: value at $x=0$

Q4. The zeroes of $p(x) = x^2 - 3x - 4$ are: (1 mark)

• Answer: (a) $-1$ and $4$

• Keywords: zeroes, quadratic

Q5. The graph of $y = p(x)$ touches the x-axis at only one point. The number of zeroes is: (1
mark)

• Answer: (b) 1
• Keywords: zeroes, graph

Q6. Which of the following is NOT a polynomial? (1 mark)

• Answer: (a) $x^2 + \sqrt{x} + 1$

• Keywords: polynomial, root, variable

Q7. If $k$ is a zero of $p(x) = ax + b$, then $k$ equals: (1 mark)

• Answer: (a) $-\frac{b}{a}$

• Keywords: zero, linear polynomial

Q8. The sum of the zeroes of $ax^2 + bx + c$ is: (1 mark)

• Answer: (b) $-\frac{b}{a}$

• Keywords: sum, quadratic

Q9. The product of the zeroes of $ax^2 + bx + c$ is: (1 mark)

• Answer: (b) $\frac{c}{a}$

• Keywords: product, quadratic

Q10. Which of the following statements is correct regarding cubic polynomials? (1 mark)
 • Answer: (b) They have at most 3 zeroes
• Keywords: cubic, zeroes

Q11. The value obtained by replacing $x$ by $k$ in $p(x)$ is called the value of $p(x)$ at $x =
k$, denoted by $p(\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_)$. (1 mark)

• Answer: $k$
• Keywords: value, substitution

Q12. The zero of the linear polynomial $ax + b$ is $-\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_ / a$. (1 mark)

• Answer: $b$
• Keywords: zero, linear

Q13. A quadratic polynomial can have at most $\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_$ zeroes. (1 mark)

• Answer: 2
• Keywords: quadratic, zeroes

Q14. The zeroes of a polynomial are the $\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_$-coordinates where its graph
intersects the x-axis. (1 mark)

• Answer: $x$
• Keywords: graph, zeroes

Q15. If $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are zeroes of $ax^2 + bx + c$, then $\alpha \beta =
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_$. (1 mark)

• Answer: $\frac{c}{a}$
• Keywords: product, quadratic

Q16. Match the following: (1 mark each)

• Answer: (i)-b, (ii)-a, (iii)-c, (iv)-d, (v)-e

• Keywords: polynomial types, degree, zero

Q17. What is the degree of $p(x) = x^2 - 3x - 4$? (1 mark)

• Answer: 2
• Keywords: degree

Q18. What is the term for a polynomial of degree 3? (1 mark)

• Answer: Cubic
• Keywords: cubic

Q19. What is the value of $p(-1)$ for $p(x) = x^2 - 3x - 4$? (1 mark)

• Answer: 0
• Keywords: value, zero

Q20. What is the sum of zeroes of $x^2 - 5x + 6$? (1 mark)

 • Answer: 5
• Keywords: sum, zeroes

Q21. What is the product of zeroes of $x^2 + 3x + 2$? (1 mark)

• Answer: 2
• Keywords: product, zeroes

Section B: Short Answer Questions

Q22. Define a polynomial. Give one example. (2 marks)

• Answer:
• A polynomial is an algebraic expression consisting of variables and coefficients, involving
only non-negative integer powers of the variable. (1 mark)
• Example: $x^2 - 3x + 4$ is a polynomial in $x$. (1 mark)
• Note: Accept other valid examples.

Q23. What is meant by the zero of a polynomial? Explain with an example. (2 marks)

• Answer:
• A zero of a polynomial $p(x)$ is a real number $k$ such that $p(k) = 0$. (1 mark)
• Example: For $p(x) = x^2 - 3x - 4$, $p(-1) = 0$, so $-1$ is a zero. (1 mark)

Q24. State the relationship between the zeroes and coefficients of a quadratic polynomial. (2
marks)

• Answer:
• For $ax^2 + bx + c$, if $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are zeroes, then $\alpha + \beta =
-\frac{b}{a}$ and $\alpha \beta = \frac{c}{a}$. (2 marks)

Q25. How is the number of zeroes of a polynomial determined using its graph? (2 marks)

• Answer:
• The number of zeroes equals the number of points where the graph intersects the x-axis.
(1 mark)
• Each intersection corresponds to a real zero of the polynomial. (1 mark)

Section C: Short Answer Type II

Q26. Find the zeroes of the polynomial $p(x) = x^2 - 5x + 6$ and verify the relationship
between the zeroes and coefficients. (3 marks)

• Answer:
 • Zeroes: Solve $x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0 \implies x = 2, 3$. (1 mark)
• Sum: $2 + 3 = 5 = -\frac{-5}{1}$; Product: $2 \times 3 = 6 = \frac{6}{1}$. (2 marks)

Q27. Explain the geometrical meaning of zeroes of a polynomial with reference to the graph
of $y = p(x)$. (3 marks)

• Answer:
• Zeroes are the $x$-coordinates where the graph crosses or touches the x-axis. (1 mark)
• Each intersection represents a real zero. (1 mark)
• For example, $y = x^2 - 3x - 4$ intersects x-axis at $x = -1$ and $x = 4$. (1 mark)

Q27 OR. Describe how the graph of a cubic polynomial can have three zeroes. (3 marks)

• Answer:
• A cubic polynomial has degree 3, so its graph can intersect the x-axis at up to three
points. (1 mark)
• Each intersection is a zero. (1 mark)
• For example, $y = x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6$ has zeroes at $x = 1, 2, 3$. (1 mark)

Q28. If $p(x) = 2x + 3$, find its zero and explain how it relates to the coefficients. (3 marks)

• Answer:
• Set $p(x) = 0 \implies 2x + 3 = 0 \implies x = -\frac{3}{2}$. (1 mark)
• The zero is $-\frac{b}{a}$, where $a = 2$, $b = 3$. (1 mark)
• This matches the relationship for linear polynomials. (1 mark)

Q28 OR. For $p(x) = 4x^2 - x - 4$, find the sum and product of its zeroes without actually
finding the zeroes. (3 marks)

• Answer:
• Sum: $-\frac{-1}{4} = \frac{1}{4}$ (1½ marks)
• Product: $\frac{-4}{4} = -1$ (1½ marks)

Q29. Verify that $3$, $-1$, and $-\frac{1}{3}$ are the zeroes of $p(x) = 3x^3 - 5x^2 - 11x - 3$. (3
marks)

• Answer:
• Substitute $x = 3$: $p(3) = 0$ (1 mark)
• Substitute $x = -1$: $p(-1) = 0$ (1 mark)
• Substitute $x = -\frac{1}{3}$: $p(-\frac{1}{3}) = 0$ (1 mark)
Section D: Long Answer Questions
Q30. Explain the relationship between the zeroes and coefficients of a cubic polynomial
$ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d$ with a neat diagram. (5 marks)

• Answer:
• Definition: A cubic polynomial has degree 3. (1 mark)
• Relationships: If $\alpha$, $\beta$, $\gamma$ are zeroes,
$$

\alpha + \beta + \gamma = -\frac{b}{a}

$$

$$

\alpha\beta + \beta\gamma + \gamma\alpha = \frac{c}{a}

$$

$$

\alpha\beta\gamma = -\frac{d}{a}

$$

(2 marks)

• Example: For $p(x) = 3x^3 - 5x^2 - 11x - 3$, $a = 3$, $b = -5$, $c = -11$, $d = -3$. Zeroes:
$3$, $-1$, $-\frac{1}{3}$. (1 mark)
• Diagram: Graph showing three intersections with x-axis. (1 mark)

Q30 OR. Derive the relationship between the zeroes and coefficients of a quadratic
polynomial $ax^2 + bx + c$, and illustrate with an example. (5 marks)

• Answer:
• Let zeroes be $\alpha$, $\beta$. (1 mark)
• $ax^2 + bx + c = a(x-\alpha)(x-\beta)$, expand to get:
$$

x^2 - (\alpha + \beta)x + \alpha\beta

$$

So, $\alpha + \beta = -\frac{b}{a}$, $\alpha\beta = \frac{c}{a}$. (2 marks)

• Example: $x^2 - 5x + 6$, zeroes $2, 3$, sum $5$, product $6$. (1 mark)
• Conclusion: Matches relationships. (1 mark)

Q31. Draw the graph of $y = x^2 - 3x - 4$ and indicate its zeroes. Explain how the graph
shows the zeroes. (5 marks)

• Answer:
 • Draw graph with $y$ vs $x$ axes. (1 mark)
• Mark points where $y=0$, i.e., $x=-1$, $x=4$. (1 mark)
• Explain: Zeroes are $x$-coordinates where graph crosses x-axis. (1 mark)
• Graph shows intersection at two points. (1 mark)
• Conclusion: Confirms algebraic zeroes. (1 mark)

Q31 OR. Show, with an example, how a polynomial can have more than one zero. Explain
with reference to its graph. (5 marks)

• Answer:
• Consider $p(x) = x^2 - 3x - 4$. (1 mark)
• Algebraic solution: Zeroes at $x = -1$, $x = 4$. (1 mark)
• Graph crosses x-axis at two points. (1 mark)
• Each intersection is a zero. (1 mark)
• Conclusion: Polynomials of degree $n$ can have up to $n$ zeroes. (1 mark)

END OF MARKING SCHEME