MATHEMATICS 10

WEEK
Division of Polynomials, Remainder
Theorem, Factor Theorem, and
7 Rational Root Theorem

What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to
indulge you in dividing polynomials using long method and synthetic division.
The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning
situations. The arrangement of the lessons follows the standard sequence of
the course. But the pacing in which you read and answer this module is
dependent on your ability.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1) divide polynomials using long division and synthetic division,
and
2) solve word problem that involves dividing polynomials.
3) Prove the remainder and factor theorems.
4) Find the remainder using synthetic division or the remainder
theorem.
5) Solve word problems using the remainder and factor theorem.

What’s In
When you were in Grade 7, you had learned that polynomial is an algebraic expression
whose variables must have nonnegative-integer powers. The degree of a polynomial in
one variable is the highest exponent among all the terms in the polynomial. Recall also
the concepts about naming polynomials according to its number of terms and its
degree. Then answer the following activity (the first polynomial was done for you) in a
separate answer sheet.
Activity 1: Complete Me
Name of the
Name of the
Number Polynomial
Polynomial Degree Polynomial
of Terms (according to the
(according to
number of
degree)
Example: x2 + 2x + 5 3 Trinomial 2 Quadratic
1) x + 1
2) 2x4 + 3x2 + 4x + 1
3) - 5x3
 4) x6 - 3x3 + 1
5) 3x3 + 2x

Some real- l i f e applications of polynomials can be seen in the field engineering and
economy. Engineers used polynomials when designing roads, buildings and other
structures and economist used it to model economic growth pattern. To understand
more about polynomials, let’s have the following simple problems:
1. If one ream of bond paper costs (x +1) pesos, how many reams can you buy for (x3 -
2x2 + 3x - 1) pesos? Is there a remaining amount after the purchase? If yes,
what is the remainder?
To find the number of reams you can buy for (x3 - 2x2 + 3x - 1) pesos and
the remaining amount if there is any, as stated in problem, we can use division of
polynomials which is the focus of this module.

What is it
LESSON
Division of Polynomial using Long Division
1
A polynomial is an algebraic expression of the form anxn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 +
… + a1x + a0, where nonnegative integer n is called the degree of the polynomial, an
≠ 0 , and a0, a1, a2,…, an are real numbers.
In your previous levels, you have learned the concept of dividing polynomials same
as dividing real numbers. See in the discussion below.
4 quotient
divisor 5 23 dividend
20
3 remainder
2
Let us divide (6x + 2x -2 ) by ( x+ 1)
6x - 4 ← Quotient
Divisor → x + 1 6x2 + 2x - 2 → Dividend
2
- (6x + 6x)
___________________
-4x - 2
- (4x - 4)
____________
2 → Remainder
The illustrated examples before show division of polynomials using the long division.
Now, how do we divide polynomials using long division? These are the steps to be
followed:

Example: Division of Polynomials

Quotient
x2 - 3x +6 Dividend

Divisor x+1 x3 - 2x2 + 3x - 1

-(x3 + x2) ← Subtract
______________________
- 3x2 + 3x
- ( -3x2 - 3x) ← Subtract
_______________________
 6x - 1
-( 6x + 6) ← Subtract
_____________
-7 ← Remainder

STEPS IN DIVIDING POLYNOMIALS USING LONG DIVISION

 Divide the first term to the
dividend (x3) by the first x2
3
term of the divisor (x) and x+1 x - 2x2 + 3x - 1
write the answer (x2) directly x 2

above the term of the dividend x + 1 x3 - 2x2 + 3x - 1

with the corresponding variable - (x3 + x2)
part. ______________________
 Multiply this quotient 𝒙2 to the x2
entire divisor x+1. This gives a x + 1 x - 2x2 + 3x -
3
1
product of 𝒙3 + 𝒙2 . Write this - (x3 + x2)
product under the dividend such ______________________
that each term is directly under - 3x2
2
the corresponding term contains x
the same variable part. x + 1 x - 2x2 + 3x -
3
1
 Subtract the product from the - (x3 + x2)
dividend. This gives the ______________________
difference of –𝟑𝒙2 - 3x2 + 3x
 Bring down the next term from
the dividend 𝟑𝒙 to form the x2 - 3x +6
expression – 𝟑𝒙2 + 𝟑𝒙 x + 1 x - 2x2 + 3x - 1
3

 Repeat the process until all the - (x3 + x2)

terms in the dividend are used ______________________
up. Stop when the degree of the - 3x2 + 3x
dividend is less than the degree - ( -3x 2 - 3x)
of the divisor. _______________________
6x - 1
-( 6x + 6)
_____________
-7
3 2
x −2 x +3 x−1
We can therefore conclude that = x2 – 3x +6 remainder -7.
x +1

LESSO
N Division of Polynomial using
2 Synthetic Division

SYNTHETIC DIVISION

Synthetic division is a shorter procedure when a polynomial is to be divided by a

binomial of the form (x-r).In this method we write only the coefficients. Below are the
important concepts and steps that you must learn in solving division of polynomials using
synthetic division.
Example: 6𝑥3 + 3𝑥2 − 2𝑥 + 4 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑥 – 2

STEPS IN SOLVING SYNTHETIC DIVISION

Step 1. Arrange the coefficients of P(x) in descending
powers of x, placing 0s for the missing terms. The 6 3 -2 4
 leading coefficient of P(x) becomes the first entry of the
third row.
Step 2. Place the value of r in the upper left corner. In
this example, x - r = x – 2 →x – (+2), so r = 2 and bring 2 6 3 -2 4
down the first coefficient of the dividend (6) in the third 6
row.
Step 3. Multiply the value to the (2) and write
the product (12) in the second row under the 2 6 3 -2 4
second coefficient of the dividend (3). 12
6

Step 4. Add (3) and (12) and write the sum (15) 2 6 3 -2 4
in the third row right after (6). 12
6 15
Step 5. Multiply (15) and (2) and write the
product (30) in the second row right after (12) 3 2 -2 6
4
then repeat the process until you reach the 12 30 56
last number in the third row. 6 15 28 60
Step 6. Convert the numbers in the third row 6 → 6x ( degree is 2 because 6x3
2

( 6 15 28 60 ) into mathematical divided by x is x2)

expression. The degree of the quotient is 15 → 15x
always in decreasing order from left to right. 28 → 28
60 → remainder
We can therefore conclude that the quotient when 6𝑥3 + 3𝑥2 − 2𝑥 + 4 is 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑
𝑏𝑦 𝑥 – 2 is 6x2 + 15x + 28 and a remainder of 60.

Lesson Prove Remainder Theorem, Factor

3 Theorem, and Rational Root Theorem
The Remainder Theorem. It is another method in finding the remainder. Simply change
the sign of “r” in (x – r) and substitute into the given polynomial P(x). To check the
remainder, use the synthetic division.

Example 1. Find the remainder when P(x) = 2𝑥2 − 4𝑥 + 6 is divided by (x + 1).

Solution:

Remainder Theorem Synthetic Division

(x – r)
(x+1)→ 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑟, 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 1 𝑡𝑜 − 𝟏
-1 -2 -4 6
𝑃(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 6, r = -1
2 -2 6
-2 -6 12
𝑃(−1) = 2(−1)2 − 4(−1) + 6
𝑃(−1) = 2(1) + 4 + 6
𝑃(−1) = 2 + 4 + 6
𝑷(−𝟏) = 𝟏2
We can therefore conclude that the remainder when P(𝑥) = 2𝑥2 − 4𝑥 + 6 is divided by
(x + 1) is 12.

The remainder P(r) when polynomial P(x) is divided by binomial (x – r) is 0, it means that x
– r is a factor of P(x). Similarly, P(r) = 0. The idea is illustrated by Factor Theorem.
The Factor Theorem is a special case of the Remainder Theorem where the
remainder

P(r) = 0. P(x) has a factor (x - r) if and only if P(r) = 0.

Remember This:

Given the polynomial P(x), if (x – r) is a factor of P(x), then P(r)= 0 . Similarly, if

P(r)= 0, then (x – r) is a factor of P(x) .

Example 1. Show that (x – 2) is a factor of P(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 5𝑥2 + 6𝑥.

Solution :
Factor Theorem Synthetic Division
(x – r)
(x – 2) → 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑟, 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 − 2 𝑡𝑜
𝟐 2 1 -5 6 0
𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 6𝑥, r = 2
3 2 2 -6 0
1 -3 0 0
𝑃(2) = (2)3 − 5(2)2 + 6(2)
𝑃(2) = 8 − 5(4) + 12
𝑃(2) = 8 − 20 + 12
𝑷(𝟐) = 𝟎
Since P(2) = 0, then (x – 2) is a factor of 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 5𝑥2 + 6 𝑥 .

Example 2. Given that (x + 2) is a factor of the polynomial, P(𝑥) = 𝑥3 – 𝑝𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 30 find p.

Solution:

Factor Theorem Remainder Theorem

(x – r) 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑥3 – 𝑝𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 30
(x + 2) → 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑟, 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 2 𝑡𝑜 − 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 6𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 30
𝟐
𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑥3 – 𝑝𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 30, r = -2 𝑃(−2) = (−2)3 − 6(−2)2 − (−2) + 30
= (−2)3 − 𝑝(−2)2 − (−2) + 30 𝑃(−2) = (−2)3 − 6(−2)2 − (−2) + 30
= −8 − 4𝑝 + 2 + 30 𝑃(−2) = −8 − 6(4) + 2 + 30
4𝑝 = 24 𝑃(−2) = −8 − 24 + 2 + 30
𝒑=6 𝑷(−𝟐) = 𝟎

Therefore, the value of p in the given polynomial P(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 – 𝑝𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 30 is 6 and its remainder is0.
Factor Theorem can also be used in finding the roots of the polynomial equations since P(r) = 0,
then (x – r) is a factor of P(x).
Example 1: Is x = 9 a root of the polynomial equation 2𝑥4 − 17𝑥3 − 9𝑥2 = 0?

Solution: Synthetic Division

Trial 1: -9 2 -17 -9 0 0

-18 315 -2754 24786

2 -35 306 -2754 24786

The remainder is 24786. Therefore, -9 is not a root of the polynomial equation.

Trial 1: 9 2 -17 -9 0 0

18 9 0 0

2 1 0 0 0 Depressed Equation

The remainder is 0. Therefore, 9 is a root of the polynomial equation

Remainder Theorem Synthetic Division

(x – r)
(x – 2) → 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑟, 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 − 2 𝑡𝑜
𝟐 2 1 -2 -5 -8
2 0 -10
1 0 -5 -18
𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 2𝑥2 − 5𝑥 − 8, r = 2
𝑃(𝑥) = (23 ) − 2(2)2 − 5(2) − 8
𝑃(2) = 8 − 2(4) − 10 − 8
𝑃(2) = 8 − 8 − 10 − 8
𝑷(𝟐) = −𝟏8

Depressed Equations are also the roots of the given polynomial 2𝑥4 − 17𝑥3 − 9𝑥2 = 0. The roots of the
−1
depressed equation 2𝑥3 + 𝑥2 = 0 are 0 and .
2
−1
Therefore, the roots of polynomial 2𝑥4 − 17𝑥3 − 9𝑥2 = 0 are 9, 0 and .
2

Since 9 is a root of the polynomial 2𝑥4 − 17𝑥3 − 9𝑥2 , we need to find the other roots. Trial and error
is a time consuming, it is not always easy to guess the roots of polynomial. Let’s limit the roots in
easy way. The next activity will demonstrate this.
Fill in the blanks with words and symbols that will best complete the statement.
Let anxn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 + … + a1x + a0, where an ≠ 0 and a1 is an integer for all i, 0 ≤ I ≤ n, be a
p
polynomial equation of degree n. If , in lowest terms, is a rational root of the equation, then ____
q
is a factor of a0 and ____ is a factor of an.
Good Job! You are now ready to explore about Rational Root Theorem.
The Rational Root Theorem provides a complete list of possible rational roots of the polynomial
equation anxn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 + … + a1x + a0 = 0 where all coefficients are integers.
To know the list of all possible rational roots, simply divide the constant term (p) to the leading
coefficient (q) in the given polynomial, where p and q are integers.
Example 1. List all possible rational roots of 𝑥3 + 𝑥2 − 4𝑥 − 4 = 0

x3 + x2 – 4x – 4 = 0

Leading coefficient (q) Constant term (p)

Factor of 1 Factor of 4
±1 ±1, ±2, ±4
 p ±1 , ± 2, ± 4
q
= ±1
Possible roots: ±1, ±2, ±4

Example 2. Find all the roots of 0 = 𝑥4 + 5𝑥3 + 5𝑥2 − 5𝑥 − 6.

Using Rational Root Test, the possible roots: ±1, ±2, ±3, ±6
Let's factor using synthetic division:
1 1 5 5 -5 -6
1 6 11 6
1 6 11 6 0

Our polynomial is now 0 = (𝑥 − 1) (𝑥3 + 6𝑥2 − 11𝑥 + 6)

0 = (𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 + 3) (𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 + 1)

Our original polynomial, 0 = 𝑥4 + 5𝑥3 + 5𝑥2 − 5𝑥 − 6, become 0 = (𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 + 3) (𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 + 1)

Our roots are x = 1, -1, -2, and -3.

Prepared by: Checked by:

JENELYN A. ARAGO GLORIA J. MAGBOO

Master Teacher I Head Teacher IV
Noted:
LOIDA P. VILLAS
Principal IV

PERFORMACE TASK IN MATHEMATICS 10

Division of Polynomials, Remainder Theorem,
Factor Theorem, and Rational Root Theorem

Name: ____________________________________ Section:___________________________

A. Divide and Write it in Form

Perform the indicated division and write your answers in the form
P(x) R(x)
=¿ Q(x) + as shown in the following example.
D( x ) D( x )

4 2
x + x −5 645
(x4 + x2 -5) ÷ (x- 5) = = x3 + 5x2 + 26x +130 +
x−5 x−5

1. (5x2 – 17x – 15) ÷ (x – 4) 1. _________________________________

2. (6x3 – 16x2 + 17x – 6) ÷ (3x – 2) 2. _________________________________
3. (x3 + 6x2 + 2x + 44) ÷ (x + 2) 3. _________________________________
4. (2x4 + x3 – 19x2 + 18x + 5) ÷ (2x – 5) 4. _________________________________
5. (4x5 + 6x4 + 5x2 – x – 10) ÷ (2x2 + 3) 5. ________________________________
B. Divide and Tell
Use the synthetic division or remainder theorem to determine the quotient and remainder
in each of the following and tell whether the binomial is a factor or not.

1. (4𝑥3 + 𝑥2 − 6𝑥 + 2) ÷ (𝑥 − 1) Quotient:___________ Remainder:_________

Factor: Yes _____ No _______

2. (−6𝑥4 + 𝑥2 + 2𝑥 +92) ÷ (𝑥 − 2) Quotient:___________ Remainder:________

Factor: Yes _____ No _______

3. (3𝑥3 + 2𝑥2 − 3𝑥 -2) ÷ (𝑥 + 1) Quotient:___________ Remainder:________

Factor: Yes _____ No _______

4. (4𝑥3 + 𝑥2 − 6𝑥 + 1) ÷ (𝑥 + 3) Quotient:___________ Remainder:________

Factor: Yes _____ No _______

5. (−3𝑥4 + 𝑥3 − 4𝑥 + 6) ÷ (𝑥 − 2) Quotient: ___________ Remainder:_________

Factor: Yes _____ No _______
Prepared by:

JENELYN A. ARAGO
Master Teacher I