Theory of Equations — Syllabus
Tamil Nadu Board · Class 12 · Mathematics
What Theory of Equations covers in Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Mathematics: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session. Topics include Basics of Polynomial.
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Topics in Theory of Equations
1. Basics of Polynomial Equations
- A polynomial of degree n is P(x) = aₙxⁿ + aₙ₋₁xⁿ⁻¹ + ... + a₁x + a₀, where aₙ ≠ 0.
- The equation P(x) = 0 is called a polynomial equation.
- A value c ∈ ℂ satisfying P(c) = 0 is called a root or zero of the polynomial.
2. Vieta's Formulae – Relations Between Roots and Coefficients
- Vieta's formulae connect the COEFFICIENTS of a polynomial to SUMS and PRODUCTS of its roots.
- For a quadratic ax² + bx + c = 0 with roots α, β: α + β = -b/a and αβ = c/a.
- A quadratic with roots α and β is: x² - (α + β)x + αβ = 0.
3. Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
- FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM: Every polynomial equation of degree n ≥ 1 has at least one root in ℂ (complex numbers).
- Consequence: A polynomial equation of degree n has EXACTLY n roots in ℂ when counted with multiplicity.
- A polynomial equation of degree n cannot have MORE than n roots, even counting multiplicity.
4. Nature of Roots – Complex Conjugate and Irrational (Surd) Roots
- COMPLEX CONJUGATE ROOT THEOREM: If a + ib (b ≠ 0) is a root of a polynomial with REAL coefficients, then a - ib is also a root.
- Non-real complex (imaginary) roots always occur in CONJUGATE PAIRS for polynomials with real coefficients.
- Since imaginary roots come in pairs, an odd-degree polynomial with real coefficients always has at least one real root.
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