Easy Algebra Step-by-Step

Dividing Polynomials 113

=+

6

2

1

2

4

44 + 2

x

xx 2

=+

↑

←

←

3

1

2 x^4

remainder

divisor

quotient

Step 2. State the quotient and remainder.

The quotient is 3 and the remainder is 1.

e.

16

16

52

52

xy^5

xy^5

Step 1. Divide 16 xy^52 by 1 6 xy^52.

16

16

1

5 2

5 2

xy

xy

=

Step 2. State the quotient and remainder.

The quotient is 1 and the remainder is 0.

Dividing a Polynomial by a Polynomial

When you divide two polynomials, and the divisor is not a monomial,

you use long division. The procedure is very similar to the long divi-

sion algorithm of arithmetic. The steps are illustrated in the following

problem.

Problem Find the quotient and remainder.

a.^461

21

xx^32886 x

x

888 x−

b. x

x

(^38)
2
−
−
c. xx
x
(^24)
3
+−x