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Using synthetic division to divide a second-degree polynomial

Use synthetic division to divide 5 x 2 3 x 36 by x 3.

Begin by setting up the synthetic division. Write k and the coefficients.

A collapsed version of the previous synthetic division.

Bring down the lead coefficient. Multiply the lead coefficient by k .

The set-up of the synthetic division for the polynomial 5x^2-3x-36 by x-3, which renders {5, -3, -36} by 3.

Continue by adding the numbers in the second column. Multiply the resulting number by k . Write the result in the next column. Then add the numbers in the third column.

Multiplied by the lead coefficient, 5, in the second column, and the lead coefficient is brought down to the second row.

The result is 5 x + 12. The remainder is 0. So x 3 is a factor of the original polynomial.

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Using synthetic division to divide a third-degree polynomial

Use synthetic division to divide 4 x 3 + 10 x 2 6 x 20 by x + 2.

The binomial divisor is x + 2 so k = 2. Add each column, multiply the result by –2, and repeat until the last column is reached.

Synthetic division of 4x^3+10x^2-6x-20 divided by x+2.

The result is 4 x 2 + 2 x 10. The remainder is 0. Thus, x + 2 is a factor of 4 x 3 + 10 x 2 6 x 20.

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Using synthetic division to divide a fourth-degree polynomial

Use synthetic division to divide 9 x 4 + 10 x 3 + 7 x 2 6 by x 1.

Notice there is no x -term. We will use a zero as the coefficient for that term.

.

The result is 9 x 3 + x 2 + 8 x + 8 + 2 x 1 .

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Use synthetic division to divide 3 x 4 + 18 x 3 3 x + 40 by x + 7.

3 x 3 3 x 2 + 21 x 150 + 1 , 090 x + 7

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Using polynomial division to solve application problems

Polynomial division can be used to solve a variety of application problems involving expressions for area and volume. We looked at an application at the beginning of this section. Now we will solve that problem in the following example.

Using polynomial division in an application problem

The volume of a rectangular solid is given by the polynomial 3 x 4 3 x 3 33 x 2 + 54 x . The length of the solid is given by 3 x and the width is given by x 2. Find the height of the solid.

There are a few ways to approach this problem. We need to divide the expression for the volume of the solid by the expressions for the length and width. Let us create a sketch as in [link] .

Graph of f(x)=4x^3+10x^2-6x-20 with a close up on x+2.

We can now write an equation by substituting the known values into the formula for the volume of a rectangular solid.

V = l w h 3 x 4 3 x 3 33 x 2 + 54 x = 3 x ( x 2 ) h

To solve for h , first divide both sides by 3 x .

3 x ( x 2 ) h 3 x = 3 x 4 3 x 3 33 x 2 + 54 x 3 x ( x 2 ) h = x 3 x 2 11 x + 18

Now solve for h using synthetic division.

h = x 3 x 2 11 x + 18 x 2
2 1 1 11 18 2 2 18     1     1   9      0

The quotient is x 2 + x 9 and the remainder is 0. The height of the solid is x 2 + x 9.

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The area of a rectangle is given by 3 x 3 + 14 x 2 23 x + 6. The width of the rectangle is given by x + 6. Find an expression for the length of the rectangle.

3 x 2 4 x + 1

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Key equations

Division Algorithm f ( x ) = d ( x ) q ( x ) + r ( x ) where q ( x ) 0

Key concepts

  • Polynomial long division can be used to divide a polynomial by any polynomial with equal or lower degree. See [link] and [link] .
  • The Division Algorithm tells us that a polynomial dividend can be written as the product of the divisor and the quotient added to the remainder.
  • Synthetic division is a shortcut that can be used to divide a polynomial by a binomial in the form x k . See [link] , [link] , and [link] .
  • Polynomial division can be used to solve application problems, including area and volume. See [link] .

Questions & Answers

for the "hiking" mix, there are 1,000 pieces in the mix, containing 390.8 g of fat, and 165 g of protein. if there is the same amount of almonds as cashews, how many of each item is in the trail mix?
ADNAN Reply
linear speed of an object
Melissa Reply
an object is traveling around a circle with a radius of 13 meters .if in 20 seconds a central angle of 1/7 Radian is swept out what are the linear and angular speed of the object
Melissa
test
Matrix
how to find domain
Mohamed Reply
like this: (2)/(2-x) the aim is to see what will not be compatible with this rational expression. If x= 0 then the fraction is undefined since we cannot divide by zero. Therefore, the domain consist of all real numbers except 2.
Dan
define the term of domain
Moha
if a>0 then the graph is concave
Angel Reply
if a<0 then the graph is concave blank
Angel
what's a domain
Kamogelo Reply
The set of all values you can use as input into a function su h that the output each time will be defined, meaningful and real.
Spiro
how fast can i understand functions without much difficulty
Joe Reply
what is inequalities
Nathaniel
functions can be understood without a lot of difficulty. Observe the following: f(2) 2x - x 2(2)-2= 2 now observe this: (2,f(2)) ( 2, -2) 2(-x)+2 = -2 -4+2=-2
Dan
what is set?
Kelvin Reply
a colony of bacteria is growing exponentially doubling in size every 100 minutes. how much minutes will it take for the colony of bacteria to triple in size
Divya Reply
I got 300 minutes. is it right?
Patience
no. should be about 150 minutes.
Jason
It should be 158.5 minutes.
Mr
ok, thanks
Patience
100•3=300 300=50•2^x 6=2^x x=log_2(6) =2.5849625 so, 300=50•2^2.5849625 and, so, the # of bacteria will double every (100•2.5849625) = 258.49625 minutes
Thomas
158.5 This number can be developed by using algebra and logarithms. Begin by moving log(2) to the right hand side of the equation like this: t/100 log(2)= log(3) step 1: divide each side by log(2) t/100=1.58496250072 step 2: multiply each side by 100 to isolate t. t=158.49
Dan
what is the importance knowing the graph of circular functions?
Arabella Reply
can get some help basic precalculus
ismail Reply
What do you need help with?
Andrew
how to convert general to standard form with not perfect trinomial
Camalia Reply
can get some help inverse function
ismail
Rectangle coordinate
Asma Reply
how to find for x
Jhon Reply
it depends on the equation
Robert
yeah, it does. why do we attempt to gain all of them one side or the other?
Melissa
how to find x: 12x = 144 notice how 12 is being multiplied by x. Therefore division is needed to isolate x and whatever we do to one side of the equation we must do to the other. That develops this: x= 144/12 divide 144 by 12 to get x. addition: 12+x= 14 subtract 12 by each side. x =2
Dan
whats a domain
mike Reply
The domain of a function is the set of all input on which the function is defined. For example all real numbers are the Domain of any Polynomial function.
Spiro
Spiro; thanks for putting it out there like that, 😁
Melissa
foci (–7,–17) and (–7,17), the absolute value of the differenceof the distances of any point from the foci is 24.
Churlene Reply
Practice Key Terms 2

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Source:  OpenStax, Precalculus. OpenStax CNX. Jan 19, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11667/1.6
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