Intermediate Algebra
Tutorial 35: Dividing Polynomials
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Learning Objectives
After completing this tutorial, you should be able to:
- Divide a polynomial by a monomial.
- Divide a polynomial by a polynomial using long division.
Introduction
In this tutorial we revisit something that you may not
have seen since
grade school: long division. In this tutorial we are dividing polynomials,
but it follows the same steps and thought process as when you apply it
numbers. Let's forge ahead.
Tutorial
Divide
Polynomial Monomial
Step 1: Use distributive
property to write every term of the numerator over the monomial in
the denominator.
If you need a review on the distributive
property, go to
Tutorial
5: Properties of Real Numbers.
Step 2: Simplify
the fractions.
Example
1: Divide
.
Step 1: Use distributive
property to write every term of the numerator over the monomial in
the denominator
AND
Step 2: Simplify
the fractions.
*Divide EVERY term by 2x
*Simplify each term
Divide
Polynomial Polynomial
Using Long Division
Step 1: Set up the long division.
The divisor (what you are dividing by) goes on
the outside of the box.
The dividend (what you are dividing into) goes on the inside of the
box.
When you write out the dividend, make sure that
you insert 0's for any
missing terms. For example, if you had the polynomial ,
the first term has degree 4, then the next highest degree is 1. It is missing degrees 3 and
2.
So if we were to put it inside a division box, we would write it like
this:
This will allow you to line up like terms when you
go through the problem.
Step 2: Divide 1st term of
divisor by first
term of dividend to get first term of the quotient.
The quotient (answer) is written above the division
box.
Make sure that you line up the first term of the
quotient with the term
of the dividend that has the same degree.
Step 3: Take the term found in
step 1 and multiply
it times the divisor.
Make sure that you line up all terms of this step with
the term of
the dividend that has the same degree.
Step 4: Subtract this from the
line above.
Make sure that you subtract EVERY term found in step 3,
not just the
first one.
Step 5: Repeat until done.
Step 6: Write out the answer.
Your answer is the quotient that you ended up with on
the top of the
division box.
If you have a remainder, write it over the divisor in
your final answer.
Example
2: Divide
.
Note that the "scratch work"
that you see
at the right of the long division shows you how that step is filled
in.
It shows you the "behind the scenes" of how each part comes about.
Scratch work:
Scratch work:
Scratch work:
We keep going until we can not divide
anymore. It looks
like we can go one more time on this problem.
We just follow the the same steps 2 - 4 as shown
above. Our “new
divisor” is the last line 8x + 1.
Scratch work:
Scratch work:
Scratch work:
Example
3: Divide
.
Scratch work:
Scratch work:
Scratch work:
We keep going until we can not divide anymore.
We just follow the the same steps 2 - 4 as shown
above. Our “new
divisor” is always going to be the last line that was found in step 4.
AND
AND
Step 4 (repeated): Subtract
this from the line above.
The following is the scratch
work (or behind
the scenes if you will) for the rest of the problem.
You
can see everything put together following the scratch work under
"putting
it all together". This is just to show you how the different
pieces
came about in the final answer. When you work a problem like
this,
you don't necessarily have to write it out like this. You can
have
it look like the final product shown after this scratch work.
Scratch work for steps 2, 3,
and 4
for the last three terms of the
quotient
2nd term:
3rd term:
4th term:
Putting it all together:
Practice Problems
These are practice problems to help bring you to the
next level.
It will allow you to check and see if you have an understanding of
these
types of problems. Math works just like
anything
else, if you want to get good at it, then you need to practice
it.
Even the best athletes and musicians had help along the way and lots of
practice, practice, practice, to get good at their sport or instrument.
In fact there is no such thing as too much practice.
To get the most out of these, you should work the
problem out on
your own and then check your answer by clicking on the link for the
answer/discussion
for that problem. At the link you will find the answer
as well as any steps that went into finding that answer.
Practice
Problems 1a - 1c: Divide.
Need Extra Help on these Topics?
The following are webpages
that can assist
you in the topics that were covered on this page:
http://www.sosmath.com/algebra/factor/fac01/fac01.html
This webpage will help you with long division.
Go to Get
Help Outside the
Classroom found in Tutorial 1: How to Succeed in a Math Class for
some
more suggestions.
Last revised on July 17, 2011 by Kim Seward.
All contents copyright (C) 2001 - 2011, WTAMU and Kim Seward. All rights reserved.