4.

8: Dividing a Polynomial by a Polynomial

Objective: Within the learning period, I will be able to divide a polynomial by a polynomial.
Standard: 10.0 Students add, subtract, multiply and divide monomials and polynomials. Students solve multistep problems, including word problems, by using these techniques.

Think and Share

The number of students at a large high school who will catch the flu during an outbreak can be estimated by n = 170t2, where t is the number of weeks from the t2+1 beginning of the epidemic and n is the number of ill people. What is the estimated number of people who will become ill during the first week?

Review:
quotient

5733 13

dividend divisor

44 1 13 5733 52 53 52 13 13 0

Check

441 13

5733

Division for polynomial is very similar to long division with whole numbers.

Steps - Long Division of Polynomials

Arrange the terms of both the dividend and the divisor in descending powers of any variable. Divide the first term in the dividend by the first term in the divisor. The result is the first term of the quotient. Multiply every term in the divisor by the first term in the quotient. Write the resulting product beneath the dividend with like terms lined up. Subtract the product from the dividend. Bring down the next term in the original dividend and write it next to the remainder to form a new dividend. Use this new expression as the dividend and repeat this process until the remainder can no longer be divided. This will occur when the degree of the remainder (the highest exponent on a variable in the remainder) is less than the degree of the divisor.

Polynomial Division
Example 1:

x 2x

7 3x 1

3x 1 3x 3 5 x 2 10 x 3

3x x
3

2
2

Subtract!!

6 x 10x
2

6x 2x 12 x 3 12 x 4
7

Subtract!!

Subtract!!

Example 2:

2 x 9 x 15 2x 5
3 2

Notice that there is no x term. However, we need to include it when we divide.

Example 2:

x 2x 5
2

2 x 5 2 x 9 x 0 x 15
3 2

10 2x 5

2 x 5x
3

4 x 10x 10x 15 10x 25

2

4 x 2 0x

10

Try This: Divide 4 5x x2 + 6x3 by 3x 2.

Solution We begin by writing the divisor and dividend in descending powers of x. Next, we consider how many times 3x divides into 6x3.
Multiply.

3x 2

2x2 6x3 x 2 5x + 4 6x3 4x2 3x 2 5x

Divide: 6x3/3x = 2x2.

Multiply: 2x2(3x 2) = 6x3 4x2. Subtract 6x3 4x2 from 6x3 x2 and bring down 5x.

Now we divide 3x2 by 3x to obtain x, multiply x and the divisor, and subtract.
Multiply.

3x 2

2x2 + x 6x3 x 2 5x + 4 6x3 4x2 3x 2 5x 3x 2 2x -3x + 4

Divide: 3x2/3x = x.
Multiply: x(3x 2) = 3x2 2x. Subtract 3x2 2x from 3x2 5x and bring down 4.

Cont. Divide 4 5x x2 + 6x3 by 3x 2.

Solution Now we divide 3x by 3x to obtain 1, multiply 1 and the divisor, and subtract.
Multiply.

3x 2

2x2 + x 6x3 x2 5x 6x3 4x 2 3x2 5x 3x2 2x -3x -3x

1 + 4

Divide: -3x/3x = -1.

+ 4 + 2 2

Multiply: -1(3x 2) = -3x + 2. Subtract -3x + 2 from -3x + 4, leaving a remainder of 2.

Try This:

x 5 x 10 x 9 x 34 x2
4 3 2

Answer:

x 3x 4 x 17
3 2

IFL
Mathematics illustrates the importance of little things. In mathematical symbolism, even the slightest error can make a great difference in the answer. Similarly in life, small faults uncorrected make vast difference in ones character development. (Dr. E.M. Role)

Synthetic Division
Synthetic Division is a shortcut for polynomial division. It involves the coefficients of the dividend and the zero of the divisor.

Example 1:
Divide: Step 1:

x 5x 6 x 1
2

Write the coefficients of the dividend in a upside-down division symbol.

x 5x 6 x 1
2

x1=0 x =1

Step 2:

Take the zero of the divisor, and write it on the left. The divisor is x 1, so the zero is 1.

1 1

x 5x 6 x 1
2

Step 3:

Carry down the first coefficient.

1 1
1

x 5x 6 x 1
2

Step 4:

Multiply the first coefficient by the number on the left. Write the product under the next coefficient.

1 1 1

5 1

x 2 5x 6 x 1
Step 5: Add.

1 1 1

5 1 6

x 5x 6 x 1
2

Step 6: Repeat as necessary.

1 1 1

5 1

6 6 6 12

The numbers at the bottom represent the coefficients of the answer. The new polynomial will be one degree less than the original.

1 1 1

5 1

6 6 6 12

x 2 5x 6 x 1

12 x6 x 1

The pattern for synthetic division of a cubic polynomial is summarized as follows. (The pattern for higher-degree polynomials is similar.)

Using Synthetic Division

Use synthetic division to divide x4 10x2 2x + 4 by x + 3. x+3=0 x = -3

Solution: You should set up the array as follows. Note that a zero is included for the missing x3-term in the dividend.

Solution
Then, use the synthetic division pattern by adding terms in columns and multiplying the results by 3.
x+3=0 x = -3

So, you have .

Try These:
1.) (x4 + x3 11x2 5x + 30) (x 2) 2.) (x4 1) (x + 1) [Dont forget to include the missing terms!]

Answers:
1.) x3 + 3x2 5x 15 2.) x3 x2 + x 1

Bonus Question
The total weight of the cargo entering a seaport each year can be modeled by 0.2t3 + 1000t2 + 10t + 50,000 where t is the number of years since the port was opened. The average weight of cargo delivered by each ship is modeled by 0.1t + 500. Write an expression describing the number of ships entering the port each year.

Individual Practice - Homework Problem Set 4.8, TB pp. 277 278 Multiples of 4 (numbers 4, 8,, 36)