Table of contents
- 0. Review of Algebra4h 16m
- 1. Equations & Inequalities3h 18m
- 2. Graphs of Equations43m
- 3. Functions2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 44m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Systems of Equations & Matrices4h 6m
- 8. Conic Sections2h 23m
- 9. Sequences, Series, & Induction1h 19m
- 10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m
4. Polynomial Functions
Dividing Polynomials
Problem 12
Textbook Question
In Exercises 1–16, divide using long division. State the quotient, and the remainder, r(x). (x^4−81)/(x−3)
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Step 1: Set up the long division by writing \(x^4 - 81\) under the division symbol and \(x - 3\) outside.
Step 2: Divide the first term of the dividend \(x^4\) by the first term of the divisor \(x\), which gives \(x^3\).
Step 3: Multiply \(x^3\) by the entire divisor \(x - 3\) and write the result \(x^4 - 3x^3\) under the dividend.
Step 4: Subtract \(x^4 - 3x^3\) from \(x^4 - 81\) to get the new dividend \(3x^3 - 81\).
Step 5: Repeat the process: divide \(3x^3\) by \(x\), multiply the result by \(x - 3\), subtract, and continue until the degree of the remainder is less than the degree of the divisor.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polynomial Long Division
Polynomial long division is a method used to divide a polynomial by another polynomial of lower degree. It involves a process similar to numerical long division, where you divide the leading term of the dividend by the leading term of the divisor, multiply the entire divisor by this result, and subtract it from the dividend. This process is repeated until the degree of the remainder is less than the degree of the divisor.
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Quotient and Remainder Theorem
The Quotient and Remainder Theorem states that when a polynomial f(x) is divided by a linear divisor of the form (x - c), the result can be expressed as f(x) = (x - c)Q(x) + R, where Q(x) is the quotient and R is the remainder. The remainder R will be a constant if the divisor is linear, and it can be found directly by evaluating f(c). This theorem is essential for understanding the results of polynomial division.
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Degree of a Polynomial
The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable in the polynomial expression. It plays a crucial role in polynomial division, as the degree of the remainder must be less than the degree of the divisor for the division process to be complete. Understanding the degree helps in predicting the behavior of the polynomial and in determining the number of times the division process will need to be performed.
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Related Practice