Learning Objectives
- Dividing monomials
- Dividing a polynomial by a monomial
- Dividing polynomials using long division
- Dividing polynomials using synthetic division
- Dividing polynomial functions
- Use the remainder and factor theorems
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.
- Add:
If you missed this problem, review Example 1.28. - Simplify:
If you missed this problem, review Example 1.25. - Combine like terms:
If you missed this problem, review Example 1.7.
Dividing Monomials
We are now familiar with all the properties of exponents and used them to multiply polynomials. Next, we’ll use these properties to divide monomials and polynomials.
Example 5.36
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
Once you become familiar with the process and have practiced it step by step several times, you may be able to simplify a fraction in one step.
Example 5.37
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
Divide a Polynomial by a Monomial
Now that we know how to divide a monomial by a monomial, the next procedure is to divide a polynomial of two or more terms by a monomial.
The method we’ll use to divide a polynomial by a monomial is based on the properties of fraction addition. So we’ll start with an example to review fraction addition. The sum simplifies to
Now we will do this in reverse to split a single fraction into separate fractions. For example, can be written
This is the “reverse” of fraction addition and it states that if a, b, and c are numbers where then We will use this to divide polynomials by monomials.
Division of a Polynomial by a Monomial
To divide a polynomial by a monomial, divide each term of the polynomial by the monomial.
Example 5.38
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
Divide Polynomials Using Long Division
Divide a polynomial by a binomial, we follow a procedure very similar to long division of numbers. So let’s look carefully the steps we take when we divide a 3-digit number, 875, by a 2-digit number, 25.
We check division by multiplying the quotient by the divisor.
If we did the division correctly, the product should equal the dividend.
Now we will divide a trinomial by a binomial. As you read through the example, notice how similar the steps are to the numerical example above.
Example 5.39
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
When we divided 875 by 25, we had no remainder. But sometimes division of numbers does leave a remainder. The same is true when we divide polynomials. In the next example, we’ll have a division that leaves a remainder. We write the remainder as a fraction with the divisor as the denominator.
Look back at the dividends in previous examples. The terms were written in descending order of degrees, and there were no missing degrees. The dividend in this example will be It is missing an term. We will add in as a placeholder.
Example 5.40
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
In the next example, we will divide by As we divide, we will have to consider the constants as well as the variables.
Example 5.41
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
Find the quotient:
Divide Polynomials using Synthetic Division
As we have mentioned before, mathematicians like to find patterns to make their work easier. Since long division can be tedious, let’s look back at the long division we did in Example 5.39 and look for some patterns. We will use this as a basis for what is called synthetic division. The same problem in the synthetic division format is shown next.
Synthetic division basically just removes unnecessary repeated variables and numbers. Here all the and are removed. as well as the and as they are opposite the term above.
The first row of the synthetic division is the coefficients of the dividend. The is the opposite of the 5 in the divisor.
The second row of the synthetic division are the numbers shown in red in the division problem.
The third row of the synthetic division are the numbers shown in blue in the division problem.
Notice the quotient and remainder are shown in the third row.
The following example will explain the process.
Example 5.42
Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when is divided by
Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when is divided by
Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when is divided by
In the next example, we will do all the steps together.
Example 5.43
Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when is divided by
Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when is divided by
Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when is divided by
Divide Polynomial Functions
Just as polynomials can be divided, polynomial functions can also be divided.
Division of Polynomial Functions
For functions and where
Example 5.44
For functions and find: ⓐ ⓑ
For functions and find ⓐ ⓑ
For functions and find ⓐ ⓑ
Use the Remainder and Factor Theorem
Let’s look at the division problems we have just worked that ended up with a remainder. They are summarized in the chart below. If we take the dividend from each division problem and use it to define a function, we get the functions shown in the chart. When the divisor is written as the value of the function at is the same as the remainder from the division problem.
Dividend | Divisor | Remainder | Function | |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 | 4 | |||
3 | 3 |
To see this more generally, we realize we can check a division problem by multiplying the quotient times the divisor and add the remainder. In function notation we could say, to get the dividend we multiply the quotient, times the divisor, and add the remainder, r.
If we evaluate this at we get: | |
This leads us to the Remainder Theorem.
Remainder Theorem
If the polynomial function is divided by then the remainder is
Example 5.45
Use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder when is divided by
Use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder when is divided by
Use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder when is divided by
When we divided by in Example 5.41 the result was To check our work, we multiply by to get .
Written this way, we can see that and are factors of When we did the division, the remainder was zero.
Whenever a divisor, divides a polynomial function, and resulting in a remainder of zero, we say is a factor of
The reverse is also true. If is a factor of then will divide the polynomial function resulting in a remainder of zero.
We will state this in the Factor Theorem.
Factor Theorem
For any polynomial function
- if is a factor of then
- if then is a factor of
Example 5.46
Use the Remainder Theorem to determine if is a factor of
Use the Factor Theorem to determine if is a factor of
Use the Factor Theorem to determine if is a factor of
Media Access Additional Online Resources
Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with dividing polynomials.
Section 5.4 Exercises
Practice Makes Perfect
Divide Monomials
In the following exercises, divide the monomials.
Divide a Polynomial by a Monomial
In the following exercises, divide each polynomial by the monomial.
Divide Polynomials using Long Division
In the following exercises, divide each polynomial by the binomial.
Divide Polynomials using Synthetic Division
In the following exercises, use synthetic Division to find the quotient and remainder.
is divided by
is divided by
is divided by
is divided by
Divide Polynomial Functions
In the following exercises, divide.
For functions and find ⓐ ⓑ
For functions and find ⓐ ⓑ
For functions and find ⓐ ⓑ
Use the Remainder and Factor Theorem
In the following exercises, use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder.
is divided by
divided by
In the following exercises, use the Factor Theorem to determine if is a factor of the polynomial function.
Determine whether a factor of
Determine whether a factor of
Writing Exercises
James divides by 6 this way: What is wrong with his reasoning?
Explain when you can use synthetic division.
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section
ⓑ On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your mastery of this section in light of your responses on the checklist? How can you improve this?