Answer/Discussion on Dividing Polynomials

(Back to the tutorial on dividing polynomials)

Intermediate Algebra
Answer/Discussion to Practice Problems
on Dividing Polynomials

Answer/Discussion to 1a

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 2a squared

*Simplify each term

(return to problem 1a)

Answer/Discussion to 1b

Step 1: Set up the long division.

Step 2: Divide 1st term of divisor by first term of dividend to get first term of the quotient.

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:

Step 3: Take the term found in step 1 and multiply it times the divisor.

Scratch work:

Step 4: Subtract this from the line above.

Scratch work:

Step 5: Repeat until done.

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, 6x - 9.

Step 2 (repeated): Divide 1st term of divisor by first term of dividend to get first term of the quotient.

Scratch work:

Step 3 (repeated): Take the term found in step 1 and multiply it times the divisor.

Scratch work:

Step 4 (repeated): Subtract this from the line above.

Scratch work:

Step 6: Write out the answer.

(return to problem 1b)

Answer/Discussion to 1c

Step 1: Set up the long division.

Step 2: Divide 1st term of divisor by first term of dividend to get first term of the quotient.

Note that the "scratch work" that you see at the right of the long division show you how that step is filled in. It shows you the "behind the scenes" of how each part comes about.