{"id":9453,"date":"2023-10-20T19:46:39","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T19:46:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/quantitativereasoning\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=9453"},"modified":"2023-12-18T13:20:09","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T13:20:09","slug":"polynomial-functions-learn-it-2","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/quantitativereasoning\/chapter\/polynomial-functions-learn-it-2\/","title":{"raw":"Polynomial Functions: Learn It 2","rendered":"Polynomial Functions: Learn It 2"},"content":{"raw":"<h2>Polynomial Long Division<\/h2>\r\n<h3>Using Long Division to Divide Polynomials<\/h3>\r\n<p>We are familiar with the <strong>long division<\/strong> algorithm for ordinary arithmetic. We begin by dividing into the digits of the dividend that have the greatest place value. We divide, multiply, subtract, include the digit in the next place value position, and repeat.<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\r\n<p>For example, let\u2019s divide [latex]178[\/latex] by [latex]3[\/latex] using long division.<\/p>\r\n<center><img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/896\/2016\/11\/02204318\/CNX_Precalc_Figure_03_05_0022.jpg\" alt=\"Long Division. Step 1, 5 times 3 equals 15 and 17 minus 15 equals 2. Step 2: Bring down the 8. Step 3: 9 times 3 equals 27 and 28 minus 27 equals 1. Answer: 59 with a remainder of 1 or 59 and one-third.\" width=\"487\" height=\"181\" \/><\/center>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Another way to look at the solution is as a sum of parts. This should look familiar, since it is the same method used to check division in elementary arithmetic.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\begin{array}{l}\\left(\\text{divisor }\\cdot \\text{ quotient}\\right)\\text{ + remainder}\\text{ = dividend}\\hfill \\\\ \\left(3\\cdot 59\\right)+1 = 177+1 = 178\\hfill \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n<p>We call this the <strong>Division Algorithm <\/strong>and will discuss it more formally after looking at an another example.<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<p>Division of polynomials that contain more than one term has similarities to long division of whole numbers. We can write a polynomial dividend as the product of the divisor and the quotient added to the remainder. The terms of the polynomial division correspond to the digits (and place values) of the whole number division. This method allows us to divide two polynomials.<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\r\n<p>For example, if we were to divide [latex]2{x}^{3}-3{x}^{2}+4x+5[\/latex]\u00a0by [latex]x+2[\/latex]\u00a0using the long division algorithm, it would look like this:<\/p>\r\n<center><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-995\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4695\/2019\/07\/25211416\/Screenshot_20230125_0411441.png\" alt=\"Set up the division problem. 2x cubed divided by x is 2x squared. Multiply the sum of x and 2 by 2x squared. Subtract. Then bring down the next term. Negative 7x squared divided by x is negative 7x. Multiply the sum of x and 2 by negative 7x. Subtract, then bring down the next term. 18x divided by x is 18. Multiply the sum of x and 2 by 18. Subtract.\" width=\"617\" height=\"609\" \/><\/center>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>We have found<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\frac{2{x}^{3}-3{x}^{2}+4x+5}{x+2}=2{x}^{2}-7x+18-\\frac{31}{x+2}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">or<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]2{x}^{3}-3{x}^{2}+4x+5=\\left(x+2\\right)\\left(2{x}^{2}-7x+18\\right)-31[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n<p>We can identify the <strong>dividend<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>divisor<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>quotient<\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong>remainder<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<center><img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/896\/2016\/11\/02204324\/CNX_Precalc_Figure_03_05_0032.jpg\" alt=\"The dividend is 2x cubed minus 3x squared plus 4x plus 5. The divisor is x plus 2. The quotient is 2x squared minus 7x plus 18. The remainder is negative 31.\" width=\"487\" height=\"99\" \/><\/center>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\nWriting the result in this manner illustrates the <strong>Division Algorithm<\/strong>.<\/section>\r\n<center><\/center>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\">\r\n<h3>the division algorithm<\/h3>\r\n<p>The <strong>Division Algorithm<\/strong> states that given a polynomial dividend [latex]f\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0and a non-zero polynomial divisor [latex]d\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0where the degree of [latex]d\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0is less than or equal to the degree of [latex]f\\left(x\\right)[\/latex],\u00a0there exist unique polynomials [latex]q\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0and [latex]r\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0such that<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]f\\left(x\\right)=d\\left(x\\right)q\\left(x\\right)+r\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>[latex]q\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0is the quotient and [latex]r\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0is the remainder. The remainder is either equal to zero or has degree strictly less than [latex]d\\left(x\\right)[\/latex].<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>If [latex]r\\left(x\\right)=0[\/latex],\u00a0then [latex]d\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0divides evenly into [latex]f\\left(x\\right)[\/latex].\u00a0This means that both [latex]d\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0and [latex]q\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0are factors of [latex]f\\left(x\\right)[\/latex].<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox questionHelp\"><strong>How To: Given a polynomial and a binomial, use long division to divide the polynomial by the binomial<\/strong>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li>Set up the division problem.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Determine the first term of the quotient by dividing the leading term of the dividend by the leading term of the divisor.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Multiply the answer by the divisor and write it below the like terms of the dividend.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Subtract the bottom binomial from the terms above it.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Bring down the next term of the dividend.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Repeat steps 2\u20135 until reaching the last term of the dividend.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>If the remainder is non-zero, express as a fraction using the divisor as the denominator.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\r\n<p>Divide [latex]6{x}^{3}+11{x}^{2}-31x+15[\/latex]\u00a0by [latex]3x - 2[\/latex].<\/p>\r\n<p>[reveal-answer q=\"850001\"]Show Solution[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"850001\"]<\/p>\r\n<center><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-997\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4695\/2019\/07\/25211535\/Screenshot_20230125_041500.png\" alt=\"6x cubed divided by 3x is 2x squared. Multiply the sum of x and 2 by 2x squared. Subtract. Bring down the next term. 15x squared divided by 3x is 5x. Multiply 3x minus 2 by 5x. Subtract. Bring down the next term. Negative 21x divided by 3x is negative 7. Multiply 3x minus 2 by negative 7. Subtract. The remainder is 1.\" width=\"716\" height=\"156\" \/><\/center>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>There is a remainder of [latex]1[\/latex]. We can express the result as:<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\frac{6{x}^{3}+11{x}^{2}-31x+15}{3x - 2}=2{x}^{2}+5x - 7+\\frac{1}{3x - 2}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n<h4>Analysis of the Solution<\/h4>\r\n<p>We can check our work by using the Division Algorithm to rewrite the solution then multiplying.<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\left(3x - 2\\right)\\left(2{x}^{2}+5x - 7\\right)+1=6{x}^{3}+11{x}^{2}-31x+15[\/latex]<\/p>\r\n<p>Notice, as we write our result,<\/p>\r\n<ul id=\"fs-id1165135152079\">\r\n\t<li>the dividend is [latex]6{x}^{3}+11{x}^{2}-31x+15[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n\t<li>the divisor is [latex]3x - 2[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n\t<li>the quotient is [latex]2{x}^{2}+5x - 7[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n\t<li>the remainder is [latex]1[\/latex]<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>[\/hidden-answer]<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">\r\n<p>[ohm2_question hide_question_numbers=1]13812[\/ohm2_question]<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h3>Using Synthetic Division to Divide Polynomials<\/h3>\r\n<p>As we've seen, long division of polynomials can involve many steps and be quite cumbersome. <strong>Synthetic division<\/strong> is a shorthand method of dividing polynomials for the special case of dividing by a linear factor whose leading coefficient is [latex]1[\/latex].<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\">\r\n<div>\r\n<h3>synthetic division<\/h3>\r\n<p><strong>Synthetic division<\/strong> is a shortcut that can be used when the divisor is a binomial in the form [latex]x\u2212k[\/latex] where [latex]k[\/latex] is a real number. In synthetic division, only the coefficients are used in the division process.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<p>To illustrate the process, let's look at an example.<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\r\n<p>Divide [latex]2x^3 - 3x^2 + 4x + 5[\/latex] by [latex]x + 2[\/latex] using the long division algorithm.<\/p>\r\n<p>The final form of the process looked like this:<\/p>\r\n<center><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9514 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145040\/3b234ea3bc0eac29d1cf9ca1ff2f70fba76ca79b.webp\" alt=\"Synthetic division of the polynomial 2x^3-3x^2+4x+5 by x+2\" width=\"325\" height=\"200\" \/><\/center>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>There is a lot of repetition in the table. If we don't write the variables but, instead, line up their coefficients in columns under the division sign and also eliminate the partial products, we already have a simpler version of the entire problem.<\/p>\r\n<center><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9515 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145159\/6e0d0074905bf0272d1d4cbe2690e6009aa46409.webp\" alt=\"Synthetic division of the polynomial 2x^3-3x^2+4x+5 by x+2 in which it only contains the coefficients of each polynomial.\" width=\"487\" height=\"110\" \/><\/center>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Synthetic division carries this simplification even a few more steps. Collapse the table by moving each of the rows up to fill any vacant spots. Also, instead of dividing by [latex]2[\/latex], as we would in division of whole numbers, then multiplying and subtracting the middle product, we change the sign of the \u201cdivisor\u201d to [latex]\u20132[\/latex], multiply and add. The process starts by bringing down the leading coefficient.<\/p>\r\n<center><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9516 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145218\/e37af41cac58008922e2bf6b604119e15e778d23.webp\" alt=\"Synthetic division of the polynomial 2x^3-3x^2+4x+5 by x+2 in which it only contains the coefficients of each polynomial.\" width=\"487\" height=\"74\" \/><\/center>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>We then multiply it by the \u201cdivisor\u201d and add, repeating this process column by column, until there are no entries left. The bottom row represents the coefficients of the quotient; the last entry of the bottom row is the remainder. In this case, the quotient is [latex]2x^2 - 7x + 18[\/latex] and the remainder is [latex]-31[\/latex].<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox questionHelp\"><strong>How to: Given two polynomials, use synthetic division to divide.<\/strong>\r\n<ol id=\"fs-id1575825\" type=\"1\">\r\n\t<li>Write [latex]k[\/latex]\u00a0for the divisor.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Write the coefficients of the dividend.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Bring the lead coefficient down.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Multiply the lead coefficient by [latex]k[\/latex]. \u00a0Write the product in the next column.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Add the terms of the second column.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Multiply the result by [latex]k[\/latex].\u00a0Write the product in the next column.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the remaining columns.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Use the bottom numbers to write the quotient. The number in the last column is the remainder and has degree [latex]0[\/latex], the next number from the right has degree [latex]1[\/latex], the next number from the right has degree [latex]2[\/latex], and so on.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<p>Try an example on your own.<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\">Use synthetic division to divide [latex]4x^3 + 10x^2 - 6x - 20[\/latex] by [latex]x + 2[\/latex]. [reveal-answer q=\"981343\"]Show Solution[\/reveal-answer] [hidden-answer a=\"981343\"]\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The binomial divisor is [latex]x + 2[\/latex] so [latex]k = -2[\/latex]. Add each column, multiply the result by [latex]-2[\/latex], and repeat until the last column is reached.<\/p>\r\n<center><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9527\" src=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150509\/c129e0af0a8095a5958635373b6337b02d8d41a4.webp\" alt=\"Synthetic division of 4x^3+10x^2-6x-20 divided by x+2.\" width=\"487\" height=\"74\" \/><\/center>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>The result is [latex]4x^2 + 2x - 10[\/latex]. The remainder is [latex]0[\/latex]. Thus, [latex]x + 2[\/latex] is a factor of [latex]4x^3 + 10x^2 - 6x - 20[\/latex].<\/p>\r\n<strong>Analysis<\/strong>\r\n<p>The graph of the polynomial function [latex]f(x) = 4x^3 + 10x^2 - 6x - 20[\/latex] in the figure below shows a zero at [latex]x = k = -2[\/latex]. This confirms that [latex]x + 2[\/latex] is a factor of [latex]4x^3 + 10x^2 - 6x - 20[\/latex].<\/p>\r\n<center><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9528\" src=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150527\/a36cade40224f0f08814c301d0a8ca455617eec2.webp\" alt=\"Synthetic division of 4x^3+10x^2-6x-20 divided by x+2.\" width=\"425\" height=\"528\" \/><\/center>[\/hidden-answer]<\/section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">\r\n<p>[ohm2_question height=\"400\" hide_question_numbers=1]13805[\/ohm2_question]<\/p>\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"<h2>Polynomial Long Division<\/h2>\n<h3>Using Long Division to Divide Polynomials<\/h3>\n<p>We are familiar with the <strong>long division<\/strong> algorithm for ordinary arithmetic. We begin by dividing into the digits of the dividend that have the greatest place value. We divide, multiply, subtract, include the digit in the next place value position, and repeat.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\n<p>For example, let\u2019s divide [latex]178[\/latex] by [latex]3[\/latex] using long division.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/896\/2016\/11\/02204318\/CNX_Precalc_Figure_03_05_0022.jpg\" alt=\"Long Division. Step 1, 5 times 3 equals 15 and 17 minus 15 equals 2. Step 2: Bring down the 8. Step 3: 9 times 3 equals 27 and 28 minus 27 equals 1. Answer: 59 with a remainder of 1 or 59 and one-third.\" width=\"487\" height=\"181\" \/><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Another way to look at the solution is as a sum of parts. This should look familiar, since it is the same method used to check division in elementary arithmetic.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\begin{array}{l}\\left(\\text{divisor }\\cdot \\text{ quotient}\\right)\\text{ + remainder}\\text{ = dividend}\\hfill \\\\ \\left(3\\cdot 59\\right)+1 = 177+1 = 178\\hfill \\end{array}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>We call this the <strong>Division Algorithm <\/strong>and will discuss it more formally after looking at an another example.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>Division of polynomials that contain more than one term has similarities to long division of whole numbers. We can write a polynomial dividend as the product of the divisor and the quotient added to the remainder. The terms of the polynomial division correspond to the digits (and place values) of the whole number division. This method allows us to divide two polynomials.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\n<p>For example, if we were to divide [latex]2{x}^{3}-3{x}^{2}+4x+5[\/latex]\u00a0by [latex]x+2[\/latex]\u00a0using the long division algorithm, it would look like this:<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-995\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4695\/2019\/07\/25211416\/Screenshot_20230125_0411441.png\" alt=\"Set up the division problem. 2x cubed divided by x is 2x squared. Multiply the sum of x and 2 by 2x squared. Subtract. Then bring down the next term. Negative 7x squared divided by x is negative 7x. Multiply the sum of x and 2 by negative 7x. Subtract, then bring down the next term. 18x divided by x is 18. Multiply the sum of x and 2 by 18. Subtract.\" width=\"617\" height=\"609\" \/><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We have found<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\frac{2{x}^{3}-3{x}^{2}+4x+5}{x+2}=2{x}^{2}-7x+18-\\frac{31}{x+2}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">or<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]2{x}^{3}-3{x}^{2}+4x+5=\\left(x+2\\right)\\left(2{x}^{2}-7x+18\\right)-31[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>We can identify the <strong>dividend<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>divisor<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>quotient<\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong>remainder<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/896\/2016\/11\/02204324\/CNX_Precalc_Figure_03_05_0032.jpg\" alt=\"The dividend is 2x cubed minus 3x squared plus 4x plus 5. The divisor is x plus 2. The quotient is 2x squared minus 7x plus 18. The remainder is negative 31.\" width=\"487\" height=\"99\" \/><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Writing the result in this manner illustrates the <strong>Division Algorithm<\/strong>.<\/section>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\">\n<h3>the division algorithm<\/h3>\n<p>The <strong>Division Algorithm<\/strong> states that given a polynomial dividend [latex]f\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0and a non-zero polynomial divisor [latex]d\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0where the degree of [latex]d\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0is less than or equal to the degree of [latex]f\\left(x\\right)[\/latex],\u00a0there exist unique polynomials [latex]q\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0and [latex]r\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0such that<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]f\\left(x\\right)=d\\left(x\\right)q\\left(x\\right)+r\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[latex]q\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0is the quotient and [latex]r\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0is the remainder. The remainder is either equal to zero or has degree strictly less than [latex]d\\left(x\\right)[\/latex].<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If [latex]r\\left(x\\right)=0[\/latex],\u00a0then [latex]d\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0divides evenly into [latex]f\\left(x\\right)[\/latex].\u00a0This means that both [latex]d\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0and [latex]q\\left(x\\right)[\/latex]\u00a0are factors of [latex]f\\left(x\\right)[\/latex].<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox questionHelp\"><strong>How To: Given a polynomial and a binomial, use long division to divide the polynomial by the binomial<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Set up the division problem.<\/li>\n<li>Determine the first term of the quotient by dividing the leading term of the dividend by the leading term of the divisor.<\/li>\n<li>Multiply the answer by the divisor and write it below the like terms of the dividend.<\/li>\n<li>Subtract the bottom binomial from the terms above it.<\/li>\n<li>Bring down the next term of the dividend.<\/li>\n<li>Repeat steps 2\u20135 until reaching the last term of the dividend.<\/li>\n<li>If the remainder is non-zero, express as a fraction using the divisor as the denominator.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\n<p>Divide [latex]6{x}^{3}+11{x}^{2}-31x+15[\/latex]\u00a0by [latex]3x - 2[\/latex].<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q850001\">Show Solution<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q850001\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-997\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4695\/2019\/07\/25211535\/Screenshot_20230125_041500.png\" alt=\"6x cubed divided by 3x is 2x squared. Multiply the sum of x and 2 by 2x squared. Subtract. Bring down the next term. 15x squared divided by 3x is 5x. Multiply 3x minus 2 by 5x. Subtract. Bring down the next term. Negative 21x divided by 3x is negative 7. Multiply 3x minus 2 by negative 7. Subtract. The remainder is 1.\" width=\"716\" height=\"156\" \/><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>There is a remainder of [latex]1[\/latex]. We can express the result as:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\frac{6{x}^{3}+11{x}^{2}-31x+15}{3x - 2}=2{x}^{2}+5x - 7+\\frac{1}{3x - 2}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<h4>Analysis of the Solution<\/h4>\n<p>We can check our work by using the Division Algorithm to rewrite the solution then multiplying.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]\\left(3x - 2\\right)\\left(2{x}^{2}+5x - 7\\right)+1=6{x}^{3}+11{x}^{2}-31x+15[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>Notice, as we write our result,<\/p>\n<ul id=\"fs-id1165135152079\">\n<li>the dividend is [latex]6{x}^{3}+11{x}^{2}-31x+15[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li>the divisor is [latex]3x - 2[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li>the quotient is [latex]2{x}^{2}+5x - 7[\/latex]<\/li>\n<li>the remainder is [latex]1[\/latex]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"ohm13812\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/ohm.one.lumenlearning.com\/multiembedq.php?id=13812&theme=lumen&iframe_resize_id=ohm13812&source=tnh\" width=\"100%\" height=\"150\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n<\/section>\n<h3>Using Synthetic Division to Divide Polynomials<\/h3>\n<p>As we&#8217;ve seen, long division of polynomials can involve many steps and be quite cumbersome. <strong>Synthetic division<\/strong> is a shorthand method of dividing polynomials for the special case of dividing by a linear factor whose leading coefficient is [latex]1[\/latex].<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox keyTakeaway\">\n<div>\n<h3>synthetic division<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Synthetic division<\/strong> is a shortcut that can be used when the divisor is a binomial in the form [latex]x\u2212k[\/latex] where [latex]k[\/latex] is a real number. In synthetic division, only the coefficients are used in the division process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>To illustrate the process, let&#8217;s look at an example.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\n<p>Divide [latex]2x^3 - 3x^2 + 4x + 5[\/latex] by [latex]x + 2[\/latex] using the long division algorithm.<\/p>\n<p>The final form of the process looked like this:<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9514 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145040\/3b234ea3bc0eac29d1cf9ca1ff2f70fba76ca79b.webp\" alt=\"Synthetic division of the polynomial 2x^3-3x^2+4x+5 by x+2\" width=\"325\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145040\/3b234ea3bc0eac29d1cf9ca1ff2f70fba76ca79b.webp 325w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145040\/3b234ea3bc0eac29d1cf9ca1ff2f70fba76ca79b-300x185.webp 300w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145040\/3b234ea3bc0eac29d1cf9ca1ff2f70fba76ca79b-65x40.webp 65w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145040\/3b234ea3bc0eac29d1cf9ca1ff2f70fba76ca79b-225x138.webp 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 325px) 100vw, 325px\" \/><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>There is a lot of repetition in the table. If we don&#8217;t write the variables but, instead, line up their coefficients in columns under the division sign and also eliminate the partial products, we already have a simpler version of the entire problem.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9515 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145159\/6e0d0074905bf0272d1d4cbe2690e6009aa46409.webp\" alt=\"Synthetic division of the polynomial 2x^3-3x^2+4x+5 by x+2 in which it only contains the coefficients of each polynomial.\" width=\"487\" height=\"110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145159\/6e0d0074905bf0272d1d4cbe2690e6009aa46409.webp 487w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145159\/6e0d0074905bf0272d1d4cbe2690e6009aa46409-300x68.webp 300w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145159\/6e0d0074905bf0272d1d4cbe2690e6009aa46409-65x15.webp 65w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145159\/6e0d0074905bf0272d1d4cbe2690e6009aa46409-225x51.webp 225w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145159\/6e0d0074905bf0272d1d4cbe2690e6009aa46409-350x79.webp 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 487px) 100vw, 487px\" \/><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Synthetic division carries this simplification even a few more steps. Collapse the table by moving each of the rows up to fill any vacant spots. Also, instead of dividing by [latex]2[\/latex], as we would in division of whole numbers, then multiplying and subtracting the middle product, we change the sign of the \u201cdivisor\u201d to [latex]\u20132[\/latex], multiply and add. The process starts by bringing down the leading coefficient.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9516 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145218\/e37af41cac58008922e2bf6b604119e15e778d23.webp\" alt=\"Synthetic division of the polynomial 2x^3-3x^2+4x+5 by x+2 in which it only contains the coefficients of each polynomial.\" width=\"487\" height=\"74\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145218\/e37af41cac58008922e2bf6b604119e15e778d23.webp 487w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145218\/e37af41cac58008922e2bf6b604119e15e778d23-300x46.webp 300w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145218\/e37af41cac58008922e2bf6b604119e15e778d23-65x10.webp 65w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145218\/e37af41cac58008922e2bf6b604119e15e778d23-225x34.webp 225w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/10\/23145218\/e37af41cac58008922e2bf6b604119e15e778d23-350x53.webp 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 487px) 100vw, 487px\" \/><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We then multiply it by the \u201cdivisor\u201d and add, repeating this process column by column, until there are no entries left. The bottom row represents the coefficients of the quotient; the last entry of the bottom row is the remainder. In this case, the quotient is [latex]2x^2 - 7x + 18[\/latex] and the remainder is [latex]-31[\/latex].<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox questionHelp\"><strong>How to: Given two polynomials, use synthetic division to divide.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol id=\"fs-id1575825\" type=\"1\">\n<li>Write [latex]k[\/latex]\u00a0for the divisor.<\/li>\n<li>Write the coefficients of the dividend.<\/li>\n<li>Bring the lead coefficient down.<\/li>\n<li>Multiply the lead coefficient by [latex]k[\/latex]. \u00a0Write the product in the next column.<\/li>\n<li>Add the terms of the second column.<\/li>\n<li>Multiply the result by [latex]k[\/latex].\u00a0Write the product in the next column.<\/li>\n<li>Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the remaining columns.<\/li>\n<li>Use the bottom numbers to write the quotient. The number in the last column is the remainder and has degree [latex]0[\/latex], the next number from the right has degree [latex]1[\/latex], the next number from the right has degree [latex]2[\/latex], and so on.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<p>Try an example on your own.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox example\">Use synthetic division to divide [latex]4x^3 + 10x^2 - 6x - 20[\/latex] by [latex]x + 2[\/latex]. <\/p>\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q981343\">Show Solution<\/button> <\/p>\n<div id=\"q981343\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">\n<p>The binomial divisor is [latex]x + 2[\/latex] so [latex]k = -2[\/latex]. Add each column, multiply the result by [latex]-2[\/latex], and repeat until the last column is reached.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9527\" src=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150509\/c129e0af0a8095a5958635373b6337b02d8d41a4.webp\" alt=\"Synthetic division of 4x^3+10x^2-6x-20 divided by x+2.\" width=\"487\" height=\"74\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150509\/c129e0af0a8095a5958635373b6337b02d8d41a4.webp 487w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150509\/c129e0af0a8095a5958635373b6337b02d8d41a4-300x46.webp 300w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150509\/c129e0af0a8095a5958635373b6337b02d8d41a4-65x10.webp 65w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150509\/c129e0af0a8095a5958635373b6337b02d8d41a4-225x34.webp 225w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150509\/c129e0af0a8095a5958635373b6337b02d8d41a4-350x53.webp 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 487px) 100vw, 487px\" \/><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The result is [latex]4x^2 + 2x - 10[\/latex]. The remainder is [latex]0[\/latex]. Thus, [latex]x + 2[\/latex] is a factor of [latex]4x^3 + 10x^2 - 6x - 20[\/latex].<\/p>\n<p><strong>Analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The graph of the polynomial function [latex]f(x) = 4x^3 + 10x^2 - 6x - 20[\/latex] in the figure below shows a zero at [latex]x = k = -2[\/latex]. This confirms that [latex]x + 2[\/latex] is a factor of [latex]4x^3 + 10x^2 - 6x - 20[\/latex].<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9528\" src=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150527\/a36cade40224f0f08814c301d0a8ca455617eec2.webp\" alt=\"Synthetic division of 4x^3+10x^2-6x-20 divided by x+2.\" width=\"425\" height=\"528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150527\/a36cade40224f0f08814c301d0a8ca455617eec2.webp 425w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150527\/a36cade40224f0f08814c301d0a8ca455617eec2-241x300.webp 241w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150527\/a36cade40224f0f08814c301d0a8ca455617eec2-65x81.webp 65w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150527\/a36cade40224f0f08814c301d0a8ca455617eec2-225x280.webp 225w, https:\/\/content-cdn.one.lumenlearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2023\/09\/23150527\/a36cade40224f0f08814c301d0a8ca455617eec2-350x435.webp 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"ohm13805\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/ohm.one.lumenlearning.com\/multiembedq.php?id=13805&theme=lumen&iframe_resize_id=ohm13805&source=tnh\" width=\"100%\" height=\"400\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"menu_order":39,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Revision and Adaptation\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Lumen 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