Applying Long Division to the Given Expression

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 130 views

Introduction

Rational expressions are a fundamental concept in algebra, and simplifying them is a crucial skill for any math enthusiast. In this article, we will focus on simplifying the rational expression $$\frac{x^2+3x+1}{x-1}$$ using long division. We will break down the process into manageable steps and provide a clear explanation of each step. By the end of this article, you will be able to simplify rational expressions with ease.

What is Long Division?

Long division is a mathematical technique used to divide a polynomial by another polynomial. It involves dividing the numerator (the dividend) by the denominator (the divisor) to obtain a quotient and a remainder. In the context of rational expressions, long division is used to simplify the expression by dividing the numerator by the denominator.

Step 1: Set Up the Long Division

To begin the long division, we need to set up the problem. We will divide the numerator $$x^2+3x+1$$ by the denominator $$x-1$$. We will write the numerator on top of a line and the denominator below it.

Step 2: Divide the Leading Term

The first step in long division is to divide the leading term of the numerator (the term with the highest degree) by the leading term of the denominator. In this case, we will divide $$x^2$$ by $$x$$, which gives us $$x$$.

Step 3: Multiply and Subtract

Next, we will multiply the entire denominator by the quotient we obtained in the previous step ($$x$$) and subtract the result from the numerator. This will give us a new polynomial that we will use to continue the division process.

Step 4: Bring Down the Next Term

After subtracting the result from the previous step, we will bring down the next term from the numerator. In this case, we will bring down the $$3x$$ term.

Step 5: Repeat the Process

We will repeat the process of dividing the leading term of the new polynomial by the leading term of the denominator, multiplying and subtracting, and bringing down the next term. We will continue this process until we have divided all the terms of the numerator.

Step 6: Write the Final Answer

After completing the long division process, we will write the final answer in the form of a quotient and a remainder. The quotient will be the simplified expression, and the remainder will be the final result.

Applying Long Division to the Given Expression

Now that we have gone through the steps of long division, let's apply them to the given expression $$\frac{x^2+3x+1}{x-1}$$. We will follow the steps outlined above to simplify the expression.

Step 1: Set Up the Long Division

We will divide the numerator $$x^2+3x+1$$ by the denominator $$x-1$$. We will write the numerator on top of a line and the denominator below it.

Step 2: Divide the Leading Term

We will divide the leading term of the numerator ($$x^2$$) by the leading term of the denominator ($$x$$), which gives us $$x$$.

Step 3: Multiply and Subtract

We will multiply the entire denominator by the quotient we obtained in the previous step ($$x$$) and subtract the result from the numerator. This gives us:

x(x-1) = x^2 - x

We will subtract this result from the numerator:

x^2+3x+1 - (x^2 - x) = 4x + 1

Step 4: Bring Down the Next Term

We will bring down the next term from the numerator, which is $$0$$.

Step 5: Repeat the Process

We will repeat the process of dividing the leading term of the new polynomial by the leading term of the denominator, multiplying and subtracting, and bringing down the next term. However, since the new polynomial is $$4x + 1$$, we will divide the leading term ($$4x$$) by the leading term of the denominator ($$x$$), which gives us $$4$$.

We will multiply the entire denominator by the quotient we obtained in the previous step ($$4$$) and subtract the result from the new polynomial:

4(x-1) = 4x - 4

We will subtract this result from the new polynomial:

4x + 1 - (4x - 4) = 5

Step 6: Write the Final Answer

The final answer is:

x+4-\frac{5}{x-1}

Conclusion

In this article, we have gone through the process of simplifying the rational expression $$\frac{x^2+3x+1}{x-1}$$ using long division. We have broken down the process into manageable steps and provided a clear explanation of each step. By following these steps, you will be able to simplify rational expressions with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is long division? Long division is a mathematical technique used to divide a polynomial by another polynomial.
How do I simplify a rational expression using long division? To simplify a rational expression using long division, you will need to divide the numerator by the denominator, following the steps outlined above.
What is the final answer to the given expression? The final answer to the given expression is $$x+4-\frac{5}{x-1}$$.

Final Answer

The final answer is:

x+4-\frac{5}{x-1}$$<br/> # Simplifying Rational Expressions: A Q&A Guide

Introduction

In our previous article, we went through the process of simplifying the rational expression $$\frac{x^2+3x+1}{x-1}$$ using long division. We broke down the process into manageable steps and provided a clear explanation of each step. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about simplifying rational expressions using long division.

Q&A Guide

Q: What is long division in the context of rational expressions?

A: Long division is a mathematical technique used to divide a polynomial by another polynomial. In the context of rational expressions, long division is used to simplify the expression by dividing the numerator by the denominator.

Q: How do I know when to use long division to simplify a rational expression?

A: You should use long division to simplify a rational expression when the numerator is a polynomial and the denominator is a polynomial. Long division is particularly useful when the numerator and denominator have a common factor.

Q: What are the steps involved in simplifying a rational expression using long division?

A: The steps involved in simplifying a rational expression using long division are:

Divide the leading term of the numerator by the leading term of the denominator.
Multiply the entire denominator by the quotient obtained in the previous step and subtract the result from the numerator.
Bring down the next term from the numerator.
Repeat the process of dividing the leading term of the new polynomial by the leading term of the denominator, multiplying and subtracting, and bringing down the next term.
Write the final answer in the form of a quotient and a remainder.

Q: What is the final answer to the given expression?

A: The final answer to the given expression is $$x+4-\frac{5}{x-1}$$.

Q: Can I use long division to simplify a rational expression with a non-polynomial numerator or denominator?

A: No, you should not use long division to simplify a rational expression with a non-polynomial numerator or denominator. Long division is only applicable to polynomials.

Q: How do I know if a rational expression can be simplified using long division?

A: You can determine if a rational expression can be simplified using long division by checking if the numerator and denominator have a common factor. If they do, you can use long division to simplify the expression.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when simplifying rational expressions using long division?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when simplifying rational expressions using long division include:

Not dividing the leading term of the numerator by the leading term of the denominator.
Not multiplying the entire denominator by the quotient obtained in the previous step.
Not subtracting the result from the numerator.
Not bringing down the next term from the numerator.
Not repeating the process until all terms have been divided.

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some frequently asked questions about simplifying rational expressions using long division. We have provided a clear explanation of each step involved in the process and highlighted some common mistakes to avoid. By following these steps and avoiding these mistakes, you will be able to simplify rational expressions with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is long division in the context of rational expressions?
How do I know when to use long division to simplify a rational expression?
What are the steps involved in simplifying a rational expression using long division?
What is the final answer to the given expression?
Can I use long division to simplify a rational expression with a non-polynomial numerator or denominator?
How do I know if a rational expression can be simplified using long division?
What are some common mistakes to avoid when simplifying rational expressions using long division?

Final Answer

The final answer is:

x+4-\frac{5}{x-1} </span></p>