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NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

K–10Mathematics K–10 Syllabus

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Implementation from 2024
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Stage 5

Polynomials (Path)

Stn (Standard), Adv (Advanced) and Ext (Extension) have been used to suggest paths for related Stage 6 courses.

Define and operate with polynomials
  • Recognise a polynomial expression anxn+an - 1xn - 1++a2x2+a1x+a0 where n=0, 1, 2 and a0, a1, a2,,an are real numbers

  • Describe Loading  using terms such as degree, leading term, Loading  and leading coefficient, constant term, Loading  and non-monic

  • Define a monic polynomial as having a leading coefficient of one

  • Apply the notation P(x) for polynomials and P(c) to indicate the value of P(x) for x=c

  • Add, subtract and multiply polynomials

Divide polynomials
  • Identify the Loading , divisor, Loading  and Loading  in numerical division

  • Divide a polynomial by a linear polynomial to find the quotient and remainder

  • Express a polynomial in the form Px=D(x)Qx+R(x), where D(x) is the divisor, Q(x) is the quotient and Rx is the remainder

Apply the factor and remainder theorems to solve problems
  • Verify the remainder theorem and use it to find factors of polynomials and solve related problems

  • Develop and apply the Loading  to Loading  particular polynomials completely and solve related problems

  • Apply the factor theorem and division to find the zeroes of a polynomial P(x) and solve Px=0 (degree 4)

  • State the maximum number of zeroes a polynomial of degree n can have

Graph polynomials
  • Loading  polynomials in factored form

  • Graph quadratic, Loading  and quartic polynomials by factorising and finding the zeroes

  • Relate the term zeroes to polynomial Loading  and roots to polynomial Loading 

  • Use graphing applications to determine the effect of single, double and triple roots of a polynomial equation Px=0 on the shape of the graph for y=Px

  • Graph polynomials using the sign of the leading term and the multiplicity of roots for the equation Px=0

  • Use graphing applications to compare the graphs of y=-Px, y=P-x, y=Px+c and y=kPx to the graph of y=Px

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