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Ch. 3 - Polynomial and Rational Functions
Chapter 4, Problem 100

Perform each division. See Examples 9 and 10. (3x^3-2x+5)/(x-3)

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Identify the dividend as \(3x^3 - 2x + 5\) and the divisor as \(x - 3\).
Set up the division using polynomial long division, writing \(3x^3 - 2x + 5\) under the division symbol and \(x - 3\) outside.
Divide the first term of the dividend \(3x^3\) by the first term of the divisor \(x\) to get the first term of the quotient, which is \(3x^2\).
Multiply the entire divisor \(x - 3\) by \(3x^2\) and subtract the result from the original dividend \(3x^3 - 2x + 5\).
Repeat the process with the new polynomial obtained after subtraction 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 Division

Polynomial division is a method used to divide a polynomial by another polynomial of lower degree. It is similar to long division with numbers, where you repeatedly subtract multiples of the divisor from the dividend. The result consists of a quotient and a remainder, which can be expressed in the form of a polynomial. Understanding this process is essential for simplifying expressions and solving equations involving polynomials.
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Synthetic Division

Synthetic division is a simplified form of polynomial division that is particularly useful when dividing by linear factors. It involves using the coefficients of the polynomial and a specific value (the root of the divisor) to perform the division more efficiently. This method is faster and less cumbersome than traditional polynomial long division, making it a valuable tool for quickly finding quotients and remainders.
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Remainder Theorem

The Remainder Theorem states that when a polynomial f(x) is divided by a linear divisor of the form (x - c), the remainder of this division is equal to f(c). This theorem provides a quick way to evaluate polynomials at specific points and helps in understanding the behavior of polynomials. It is particularly useful in conjunction with synthetic division to verify results and analyze polynomial functions.
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