1. Division of Polynomials Digital Lesson

2. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 2 Dividing Polynomials Long division of polynomials is similar to long division of whole numbers. dividend = (quotient divisor) + remainder The result is written in the form: quotient + When you divide two polynomials you can check the answer using the following:

3. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 3 + 2 Example: Divide & Check Example: Divide x 2 + 3x – 2 by x – 1 and check the answer. x x 2 + x 2x2x– 2 2x + 2 – 4– 4 remainder Check: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. correct (x + 2) quotient (x + 1) divisor + (– 4) remainder = x 2 + 3x – 2 dividend Answer: x + 2 + – 4– 4

4. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 Example: Divide & Check Example: Divide 4x + 2x 3 – 1 by 2x – 2 and check the answer. Write the terms of the dividend in descending order. 1. x2x2 2. 2x 3 – 2x 2 3. 2x22x2 + 4x 4. + x 5. 2x 2 – 2x 6. 6x6x – 1 7. + 3 8. 6x – 6 9. 5 Check: (x 2 + x + 3)(2x – 2) + 5 = 4x + 2x 3 – 1 Answer: x 2 + x + 3 5 Since there is no x 2 term in the dividend, add 0x 2 as a placeholder.

5. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 5 Example: Division With Zero Remainder x x 2 – 2x – 3x + 6 – 3 – 3x + 6 0 Answer: x – 3 with no remainder. Check: (x – 2)(x – 3) = x 2 – 5x + 6 Example: Divide x 2 – 5x + 6 by x – 2.

6. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 Example: Division With Nonzero Remainder Example: Divide x 3 + 3x 2 – 2x + 2 by x + 3 and check the answer. x2x2 x 3 + 3x 2 0x20x2 – 2x – 2 – 2x – 6 8 Check: (x + 3)(x 2 – 2) + 8 = x 3 + 3x 2 – 2x + 2 Answer: x 2 – 2 + 8 + 2 Note: the first subtraction eliminated two terms from the dividend. Therefore, the quotient skips a term. + 0x