The Division Algorithm for Polynomials

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 90 views

Introduction

In algebra, polynomial division is a process of dividing one polynomial by another to obtain a quotient and a remainder. This process is essential in solving polynomial equations and simplifying complex expressions. In this article, we will divide the given polynomials and write the answer in descending powers of $x$ . We will use the standard division algorithm for polynomials, which involves dividing the highest degree term of the dividend by the highest degree term of the divisor.

The Division Algorithm for Polynomials

The division algorithm for polynomials states that if we divide a polynomial $f(x)$ by another polynomial $g(x)$ , then we can write:

\frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = q(x) + \frac{r(x)}{g(x)}

where $q(x)$ is the quotient, $r(x)$ is the remainder, and $g(x)$ is the divisor. The degree of the remainder must be less than the degree of the divisor.

Dividing the Given Polynomials

We are given the polynomials:

\frac{27x^4 - 18x^3 + 9x^2}{3x}

To divide these polynomials, we will use the standard division algorithm. We will divide the highest degree term of the dividend by the highest degree term of the divisor.

Step 1: Divide the Highest Degree Term

The highest degree term of the dividend is $27x^4$ , and the highest degree term of the divisor is $3x$ . We will divide $27x^4$ by $3x$ to get:

\frac{27x^4}{3x} = 9x^3

Step 2: Multiply the Divisor by the Quotient

We will multiply the divisor $3x$ by the quotient $9x^3$ to get:

3x \cdot 9x^3 = 27x^4

Step 3: Subtract the Product from the Dividend

We will subtract the product $27x^4$ from the dividend $27x^4 - 18x^3 + 9x^2$ to get:

27x^4 - 18x^3 + 9x^2 - 27x^4 = -18x^3 + 9x^2

Step 4: Repeat the Process

We will repeat the process by dividing the highest degree term of the new dividend $-18x^3 + 9x^2$ by the highest degree term of the divisor $3x$ . We will get:

\frac{-18x^3}{3x} = -6x^2

We will multiply the divisor $3x$ by the quotient $-6x^2$ to get:

3x \cdot -6x^2 = -18x^3

We will subtract the product $-18x^3$ from the new dividend $-18x^3 + 9x^2$ to get:

-18x^3 + 9x^2 - (-18x^3) = 9x^2

Step 5: Repeat the Process Again

We will repeat the process by dividing the highest degree term of the new dividend $9x^2$ by the highest degree term of the divisor $3x$ . We will get:

\frac{9x^2}{3x} = 3x

We will multiply the divisor $3x$ by the quotient $3x$ to get:

3x \cdot 3x = 9x^2

We will subtract the product $9x^2$ from the new dividend $9x^2$ to get:

9x^2 - 9x^2 = 0

The Quotient and Remainder

We have completed the division process, and we have obtained the quotient and remainder:

\frac{27x^4 - 18x^3 + 9x^2}{3x} = 9x^3 - 6x^2 + 3x + \frac{0}{3x}

The quotient is $9x^3 - 6x^2 + 3x$ , and the remainder is $0$ .

Conclusion

In this article, we have divided the given polynomials and written the answer in descending powers of $x$ . We have used the standard division algorithm for polynomials, which involves dividing the highest degree term of the dividend by the highest degree term of the divisor. We have obtained the quotient and remainder, and we have written the answer in descending powers of $x$ . This process is essential in solving polynomial equations and simplifying complex expressions.

Final Answer

The final answer is $\boxed{9x^3 - 6x^2 + 3x}$

Introduction

In the previous article, we divided the given polynomials and wrote the answer in descending powers of $x$ . In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about dividing polynomials.

Q: What is the division algorithm for polynomials?

A: The division algorithm for polynomials states that if we divide a polynomial $f(x)$ by another polynomial $g(x)$ , then we can write:

\frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = q(x) + \frac{r(x)}{g(x)}

where $q(x)$ is the quotient, $r(x)$ is the remainder, and $g(x)$ is the divisor. The degree of the remainder must be less than the degree of the divisor.

Q: How do I divide a polynomial by another polynomial?

A: To divide a polynomial by another polynomial, you need to follow these steps:

Divide the highest degree term of the dividend by the highest degree term of the divisor.
Multiply the divisor by the quotient.
Subtract the product from the dividend.
Repeat the process until the degree of the remainder is less than the degree of the divisor.

Q: What is the quotient and remainder in polynomial division?

A: The quotient is the result of the division process, and the remainder is the amount left over after the division process is complete. The degree of the remainder must be less than the degree of the divisor.

Q: How do I write the answer in descending powers of $x$ ?

A: To write the answer in descending powers of $x$ , you need to arrange the terms of the quotient in descending order of their degrees. For example, if the quotient is $9x^3 - 6x^2 + 3x$ , then the answer in descending powers of $x$ is $9x^3 - 6x^2 + 3x$ .

Q: What is the difference between polynomial division and long division?

A: Polynomial division and long division are both methods of dividing numbers, but they are used for different types of numbers. Long division is used for dividing integers, while polynomial division is used for dividing polynomials.

Q: Can I use a calculator to divide polynomials?

A: Yes, you can use a calculator to divide polynomials. However, it's always a good idea to check your work by hand to make sure that the calculator is giving you the correct answer.

Q: How do I check my work in polynomial division?

A: To check your work in polynomial division, you need to multiply the divisor by the quotient and subtract the product from the dividend. If the result is zero, then you have done the division correctly.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid in polynomial division?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid in polynomial division include:

Not following the order of operations
Not multiplying the divisor by the quotient correctly
Not subtracting the product from the dividend correctly
Not checking your work

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some frequently asked questions about dividing polynomials. We have covered topics such as the division algorithm for polynomials, how to divide a polynomial by another polynomial, and how to write the answer in descending powers of $x$ . We have also covered some common mistakes to avoid in polynomial division.

Final Answer

The final answer is $\boxed{9x^3 - 6x^2 + 3x}$