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 83
Textbook Question
Perform each division. See Examples 7 and 8. (-4x^7-14x^6+10x^4-14x^2)/(-2x^2)
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1
Identify the terms in the numerator: \(-4x^7\), \(-14x^6\), \(10x^4\), and \(-14x^2\).
Identify the term in the denominator: \(-2x^2\).
Divide each term in the numerator by the term in the denominator separately.
For each division, subtract the exponents of \(x\) in the numerator and denominator: \(x^a / x^b = x^{a-b}\).
Simplify each resulting term to get the final expression.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polynomial Division
Polynomial division is the process of dividing one polynomial by another, similar to numerical long division. In this case, we divide the polynomial
(-4x^7 - 14x^6 + 10x^4 - 14x^2) by the monomial (-2x^2). The result is obtained by dividing each term of the polynomial by the divisor, simplifying the expression step by step.
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Simplifying Expressions
Simplifying expressions involves reducing complex algebraic expressions to their simplest form. This includes combining like terms and reducing coefficients. In the context of polynomial division, after dividing each term, it is essential to simplify the resulting expression to make it easier to interpret and work with.
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Negative Exponents
Negative exponents indicate the reciprocal of the base raised to the opposite positive exponent. For example, x^(-n) = 1/(x^n). In polynomial division, understanding how to handle negative coefficients and exponents is crucial, as it affects the signs and values of the resulting terms after division.
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Related Practice