Dividing Polynomials: A Step-by-Step Guide
This article will guide you through the process of dividing the polynomial 2x³ + 3x² + 5x + 9 by (x - 20) using polynomial long division.
Understanding Polynomial Long Division
Polynomial long division is a method used to divide polynomials, similar to the long division method used for numbers. It involves a series of steps to find the quotient and remainder of the division.
Step-by-Step Process
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Set up the division problem:
___________ x-20 | 2x³ + 3x² + 5x + 9
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Divide the leading term of the dividend (2x³) by the leading term of the divisor (x):
- 2x³ / x = 2x²
- Write 2x² above the dividend.
2x²________ x-20 | 2x³ + 3x² + 5x + 9
-
Multiply the divisor (x - 20) by the term you just wrote (2x²):
- (x - 20) * 2x² = 2x³ - 40x²
-
Subtract the result from the dividend:
2x²________ x-20 | 2x³ + 3x² + 5x + 9 -(2x³ - 40x²) ----------- 43x² + 5x
-
Bring down the next term of the dividend (5x):
2x²________ x-20 | 2x³ + 3x² + 5x + 9 -(2x³ - 40x²) ----------- 43x² + 5x
-
Repeat steps 2-5:
- Divide the leading term of the new dividend (43x²) by the leading term of the divisor (x):
- 43x² / x = 43x
- Write 43x above the dividend.
- Multiply the divisor (x - 20) by 43x:
- (x - 20) * 43x = 43x² - 860x
- Subtract the result:
2x² + 43x_____
x-20 | 2x³ + 3x² + 5x + 9 -(2x³ - 40x²) ----------- 43x² + 5x -(43x² - 860x) ------------- 865x + 9
* Bring down the next term (9):
2x² + 43x_____
x-20 | 2x³ + 3x² + 5x + 9 -(2x³ - 40x²) ----------- 43x² + 5x -(43x² - 860x) ------------- 865x + 9
- Divide the leading term of the new dividend (43x²) by the leading term of the divisor (x):
-
Repeat steps 2-5 again:
- Divide the leading term of the new dividend (865x) by the leading term of the divisor (x):
- 865x / x = 865
- Write 865 above the dividend.
- Multiply the divisor (x - 20) by 865:
- (x - 20) * 865 = 865x - 17300
- Subtract the result:
2x² + 43x + 865___
x-20 | 2x³ + 3x² + 5x + 9 -(2x³ - 40x²) ----------- 43x² + 5x -(43x² - 860x) ------------- 865x + 9 -(865x - 17300) ------------- 17309
- Divide the leading term of the new dividend (865x) by the leading term of the divisor (x):
Conclusion
Therefore, the result of dividing 2x³ + 3x² + 5x + 9 by (x - 20) is:
Quotient: 2x² + 43x + 865 Remainder: 17309
We can express this result as:
(2x³ + 3x² + 5x + 9) / (x - 20) = 2x² + 43x + 865 + 17309 / (x - 20)