A non-zero polynomial f(x) of degree 3 has roots at x = 1, x = 2 and x = 3. Which one of the following must be TRUE?
Topic-wise GATE CS PYQs with verified steps
GATE CSE 2014 Set 2 · Q5
Time
Select one answerSingle correct
Solution
Official answer: A) f(0)f(4) < 0
CalculusSince is a polynomial of degree 3 with roots at , it can be written as:
where is a non-zero real constant ().
Evaluating $f(x)$ at $x = 0$ and $x = 4$:
Now, compute their product:
Since , , which means:
Also, , which rules out (C) and (D). Therefore, option (A) must be TRUE.
Try the question first, then check your work.
Examiner trap
Express in factored form and evaluate the expressions at and .
This Calculus previous year question is Q5 of the GATE CSE 2014 Set 2 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on Calculus in Engineering Mathematics, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.
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Calculus has 40 GATE CSE PYQs across 25 papers from 2011 to 2026. 14 of them are 1-mark MCQs like this one, and GATE CSE 2014 Set 2 has 2.
How GATE tests CalculusIndependent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.