Dividing Polynomials: (x⁴ + 4x³ + 16x - 35) ÷ (x + 5)
This article will guide you through the process of dividing the polynomial (x⁴ + 4x³ + 16x - 35) by (x + 5) using polynomial long division.
Understanding Polynomial Long Division
Polynomial long division is a method for dividing polynomials, similar to the long division method used with integers. The process involves a series of steps to find the quotient and remainder of the division.
Step-by-Step Solution
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Set up the division:
________ x + 5 | x⁴ + 4x³ + 0x² + 16x - 35
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Divide the leading terms:
- Divide the leading term of the dividend (x⁴) by the leading term of the divisor (x). This gives us x³.
- Write x³ above the x³ term in the dividend.
x³_______ x + 5 | x⁴ + 4x³ + 0x² + 16x - 35
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Multiply the divisor by the quotient term:
- Multiply (x + 5) by x³ to get x⁴ + 5x³.
- Write the result below the dividend.
x³_______ x + 5 | x⁴ + 4x³ + 0x² + 16x - 35 x⁴ + 5x³
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Subtract:
- Subtract the product obtained in step 3 from the dividend.
- Remember to change the signs of the terms being subtracted.
x³_______ x + 5 | x⁴ + 4x³ + 0x² + 16x - 35 x⁴ + 5x³ ------- -x³ + 0x²
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Bring down the next term:
- Bring down the next term (0x²) from the dividend.
x³_______ x + 5 | x⁴ + 4x³ + 0x² + 16x - 35 x⁴ + 5x³ ------- -x³ + 0x² + 16x
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Repeat steps 2-5:
- Divide the leading term of the new dividend (-x³) by the leading term of the divisor (x). This gives us -x².
- Write -x² above the x² term in the dividend.
- Multiply (x + 5) by -x² to get -x³ - 5x².
- Subtract the product from the dividend.
- Bring down the next term (16x).
x³ - x²____ x + 5 | x⁴ + 4x³ + 0x² + 16x - 35 x⁴ + 5x³ ------- -x³ + 0x² + 16x -x³ - 5x² -------- 5x² + 16x
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Repeat steps 2-5 again:
- Divide the leading term of the new dividend (5x²) by the leading term of the divisor (x). This gives us 5x.
- Write 5x above the x term in the dividend.
- Multiply (x + 5) by 5x to get 5x² + 25x.
- Subtract the product from the dividend.
- Bring down the last term (-35).
x³ - x² + 5x__ x + 5 | x⁴ + 4x³ + 0x² + 16x - 35 x⁴ + 5x³ ------- -x³ + 0x² + 16x -x³ - 5x² -------- 5x² + 16x - 35 5x² + 25x -------- -9x - 35
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Final step:
- Divide the leading term of the new dividend (-9x) by the leading term of the divisor (x). This gives us -9.
- Write -9 above the constant term in the dividend.
- Multiply (x + 5) by -9 to get -9x - 45.
- Subtract the product from the dividend.
x³ - x² + 5x - 9 x + 5 | x⁴ + 4x³ + 0x² + 16x - 35 x⁴ + 5x³ ------- -x³ + 0x² + 16x -x³ - 5x² -------- 5x² + 16x - 35 5x² + 25x -------- -9x - 35 -9x - 45 -------- 10
Therefore, the result of dividing (x⁴ + 4x³ + 16x - 35) by (x + 5) is:
(x⁴ + 4x³ + 16x - 35) ÷ (x + 5) = x³ - x² + 5x - 9 + 10/(x + 5)
The quotient is x³ - x² + 5x - 9 and the remainder is 10.