Easy Algebra Step-by-Step

110

11 Dividing Polynomials

This chapter presents a discussion of division of polynomials. Division of

polynomials is analogous to division of real numbers. In algebra, you indi-

cate division using the fraction bar. For example,

16 28

4

xx^322828

− x

, x≠ 0 , indi-

cates 16 x^3 – 28 x^2 divided by −4x. Because division by 0 is undefi ned, you

must exclude values for the variable or variables that would make the divi-

sor 0. For convenience, you can assume such values are excluded as you work

through the problems in this chapter.

Dividing a Polynomial by a Monomial

Customarily, a division problem is a dividend divided by a divisor. When you

do the division, you get a quotient and a remainder. You express the relation-

ship between these quantities as

dividend

divisor

quotient

remainder

divisor

=+quotient.

Dividing a Polynomial by a Monomial

To divide a polynomial by a monomial, divide each term of the polynomial by

the monomial.

P

Be sure to note that the

remainder is the numerator of the

expression remainder

divisor

.