Notes 3­3 Dividing Polynomials
Objectives:
­ Use long division and synthetic division to divide polynomials
Who uses this?
Electricians can divide polynomials in order to find the voltage in an electrical system. 1
Notes 3­3 Dividing Polynomials
­ Divide a polynomial by a monomial
Ex.
­ Division Algorithm (Long Division)
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Ex. 3
Ex. 4
Ex. 5
Ex. 6
Synthetic Division
Step 1: Write the terms in descending order with respect to their exponent. Then write the coefficients. Step 2: Write the constant r of the divisior x ­ r. Bring down the first coefficient. 7
Step 3: Multiply the first coefficient by r. Write the product under the second coefficient then add. Step 4: Multiply this sum by r and place under the third coefficient. Repeat until all the coefficients have been used. Step 5: Start with the power of x one less than the highest power. 8
Ex. 9
Ex. 10
Ex.
Ex. 11
Ex.
Ex. 12
Ex. Use synthetic substitution to evaluate the polynomial for the given value.
for x = 4
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Try these:
Ex. Use synthetic substitution to evaluate the polynomial for the given value. a.
for x = b. for x = ­3
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