(3x^3-5x^2-2)/(x-1)

4 min read Jun 16, 2024
(3x^3-5x^2-2)/(x-1)

Polynomial Long Division: (3x^3 - 5x^2 - 2) / (x - 1)

Polynomial long division is a method used to divide polynomials. It's similar to the long division you learned in elementary school, but with variables and exponents. Let's break down the division of (3x^3 - 5x^2 - 2) by (x - 1).

Steps:

  1. Set up the division:

    • Write the dividend (3x^3 - 5x^2 - 2) inside the division symbol.
    • Write the divisor (x - 1) outside the division symbol.
  2. Divide the leading terms:

    • Divide the leading term of the dividend (3x^3) by the leading term of the divisor (x). This gives us 3x^2.
    • Write 3x^2 above the division symbol, aligned with the x^2 term of the dividend.
  3. Multiply the divisor by the quotient term:

    • Multiply the entire divisor (x - 1) by the quotient term we just found (3x^2). This gives us 3x^3 - 3x^2.
  4. Subtract:

    • Subtract the result from the dividend. This leaves us with -2x^2 - 2.
  5. Bring down the next term:

    • Bring down the next term from the dividend (-2).
  6. Repeat steps 2-5:

    • Divide the leading term of the new dividend (-2x^2) by the leading term of the divisor (x). This gives us -2x.
    • Write -2x above the division symbol, aligned with the x term.
    • Multiply the divisor (x - 1) by -2x. This gives us -2x^2 + 2x.
    • Subtract this result from the current dividend. This leaves us with -2x - 2.
    • Bring down the next term (which is the constant term -2).
  7. Repeat steps 2-5 again:

    • Divide the leading term of the new dividend (-2x) by the leading term of the divisor (x). This gives us -2.
    • Write -2 above the division symbol.
    • Multiply the divisor (x - 1) by -2. This gives us -2x + 2.
    • Subtract this result from the current dividend. This leaves us with -4.
  8. Remainder:

    • The last result, -4, is our remainder.

Result:

Therefore, the result of dividing (3x^3 - 5x^2 - 2) by (x - 1) is:

3x^2 - 2x - 2 with a remainder of -4

We can express this as:

(3x^3 - 5x^2 - 2) / (x - 1) = 3x^2 - 2x - 2 - 4/(x - 1)

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