ENGINEERING ALGEBRA

Lesson 6: Division of Polynomials

Dividing a polynomial by another polynomial with the same or

lower degree is called “division of polynomials”. It reduces the complex
division into smaller one using a long division of polynomials or
short/synthetic division.

How
to do
Simple Division
Polyn
- Dividing a polynomial by a monomial.

1.
6r 2 s 2  3rs 2  9r 2 s omial
3rs


6r 2 s2 3rs2 9r 2 s
3rs
 
3rs 3rs
Divisi
2rs  s  3r

2.
3a 2 b  6a 3b 2  18ab
on???
3ab
3a2 b 6a 3b 2 18ab
  
3ab 3ab 3ab
a  2a 2b  6

12 x 2 y  3 x
3.
3x
12x 2 y 3x
 
3x 3x
4xy  1
Long Division of Polynomials
- Divide a polynomial by a polynomial

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 Consider a polynomial x 3−4 x 2−8divided by x−3. The divisor is x−3
and; The dividend is x 3−4 x 2−8, which should be arranged in descending
order, such as
3 2
x −4 x + 0 x−8
To find for the quotient and the remainder; the procedures are as
follows;
Step 1: Divide the first term of the dividend by the first term of the
divisor, and place the result on top of the bar.
2
x
x−3 √ x −4 x +0 x−8
3 2

Step 2: Multiply the result by each term of the divisor, and place the
product below the dividend.
2
x
x−3 √ x −4 x +0 x−8
3 2

3 2
x −3 x
Step 3: Subtract the obtained product from the upper terms, be careful
with the sign of the subtrahend it will be reversed, then bring
down the next term of the dividend.
2
x
x−3 √ x −4 x +0 x−8
3 2

3 2
−x +3 x
2
−x + 0 x
Step 4: Repeat steps 1 to 3, until there’s no term left from the dividend
to bring down.
2
x −x−3
x−3 √ x −4 x +0 x−8
3 2

3 2
−x +3 x
2
−x + 0 x
2
−x + 3 x
−3 x−8 Therefore:
2
−3 x+ 9 x −x−3 Is the quotient
and -17 is the remainder.
−17 Ans.

Check:

x 3−4 x 2−8= ( x −3 ) ( x2 −x−3 )−17

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 = x 3−x 2−3 x−3 x 2+3 x +9−17
3 2 3 2
x −4 x −8 = x −4 x −8

Short/Synthetic Division of Polynomials

- Divide a polynomial by a polynomial.
To use synthetic division:
 There must be a coefficient for every possible power of the
variable.
 The divisor must have a leading coefficient of 1.

1. Consider a polynomial x 3−4 x 2−8divided by x−3 to find for the quotient

and the remainder; the procedures are as follows;

Step 1: Arranged numerator in descending order.

3 2
x −4 x + 0 x−8 / x−3

Step 2: Place the coefficients inside, according to their order.

1 -4 0 -8

Step 3: Place the numerical of the denominator outside with opposite

sign.

Note: synthetic division can

+3 1 -4 0 -8 only be done when
there is a first degree
x in the denominator
Step 4: Bring down 1st term below the bar. Then multiply 3 by 1 then
placed the product below -4 and add, placed the sum next to 1.
+3 1 -4 0 -8
3
1 -1

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 Step 5: Multiply 3 by -1 then placed the product below 0 and add,
placed the sum next to -1. Repeat this process up to the last term.
+3 1 -4 0 -8
3 -3 -9
1 -1 -3 -17 Remainder
The result should be one degree lesser than the given polynomial,
and the numbers below the bar such as 1, -1 & -3 are the resulting
coefficients. Therefore:
3 2
x −4 x −8 2 17
=(x −x−3)− Ans.
x−3 x−3
To check: Cross multiply the denominator of the left side of the
equation to the right side, then simplify.

x 3−4 x 2−8= ( x −3 ) ( x2 −x−3 )−17

= x 3−x 2−3 x−3 x 2+3 x +9−17
3 2 3 2
x −4 x −8 = x −4 x −8

2. x 3
 x  2x  72x  1
2

 x3 x2 2x 7   2x 1 
       
 2 2 2 2  2 2
1 3 1 2 7  1
 x  x  x    x  
2 2 2  2
1 1 1 7
 1 
2 2 2 2
1 1 7

4 8 16
_________________________
1 1 7  49

2 4 8 16

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 Note: Use Synthetic Division in numbers 1,6,7,8 9
Use Long Division in numbers 2,3,4,5,10

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