5.4: Dividing Polynomials

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Dividing monomials
• Dividing a polynomial by a monomial
• Dividing polynomials using long division
• Dividing polynomials using synthetic division
• Dividing polynomial functions
• Use the remainder and factor theorems

Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

1. Add: \(\frac{3}{d}+\frac{x}{d}\).
   If you missed this problem, review [link].
2. Simplify: \(\frac{30xy}{35xy}\).
   If you missed this problem, review [link].
3. Combine like terms: \(8a^2+12a+1+3a^2−5a+4\).
   If you missed this problem, review [link].

Dividing Monomials

We are now familiar with all the properties of exponents and used them to multiply polynomials. Next, we’ll use these properties to divide monomials and polynomials.

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Find the quotient: \(54a^2b^3÷ (−6ab^5)\).

Answer

When we divide monomials with more than one variable, we write one fraction for each variable.

\(\begin{array} {ll} {} &{54a^2b^3÷(−6ab^5)} \\ {\text{Rewrite as a fraction.}} &{\frac{54a^2b^3}{−6ab^5}} \\ {\text{Use fraction multiplication.}} &{\frac{54}{−6}·\frac{a^2}{a}·\frac{b^3}{b^5}} \\ {\text{Simplify and use the Quotient Property.}} &{−9·a·\frac{1}{b^2}} \\ {\text{Multiply.}} &{−\frac{9a}{b^2}} \\ \end{array}\)

Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Find the quotient: \(−72a^7b^3÷(8a^{12}b^4)\).

Answer

\(−\frac{9}{a^5b}\)

Example \(\PageIndex{3}\)

Find the quotient: \(−63c^8d^3÷(7c^{12}d^2)\).

Answer

\(\frac{−9d}{c^4}\)

Once you become familiar with the process and have practiced it step by step several times, you may be able to simplify a fraction in one step.

Example \(\PageIndex{4}\)

Find the quotient: \(\frac{14x^7y^{12}}{21x^{11}y^6}\).

Answer

Be very careful to simplify \(\frac{14}{21}\) by dividing out a common factor, and to simplify the variables by subtracting their exponents.

\(\begin{array} {ll} {} &{\frac{14x^7y^{12}}{21x^{11}y^6}} \\ {\text{Simplify and use the Quotient Property.}} &{\frac{2y^6}{3x^4}} \\ \end{array}\)

Example \(\PageIndex{5}\)

Find the quotient: \(\frac{28x^5y^{14}}{49x^9y^{12}}\).

Answer

\(\frac{4y^2}{7x^4}\)

Example \(\PageIndex{6}\)

Find the quotient: \(\frac{30m^5n^{11}}{48m^{10}n^{14}}\).

Answer

\(\frac{5}{8m^5n^3}\)

Divide a Polynomial by a Monomial

Now that we know how to divide a monomial by a monomial, the next procedure is to divide a polynomial of two or more terms by a monomial. The method we’ll use to divide a polynomial by a monomial is based on the properties of fraction addition. So we’ll start with an example to review fraction addition. The sum \(\frac{y}{5}+\frac{2}{5}\) simplifies to \(\frac{y+2}{5}\). Now we will do this in reverse to split a single fraction into separate fractions. For example, \(\frac{y+2}{5}\) can be written \(\frac{y}{5}+\frac{2}{5}\).

This is the “reverse” of fraction addition and it states that if a, b, and c are numbers where \(c\neq 0\), then \(\frac{a+b}{c}=\frac{a}{c}+\frac{b}{c}\). We will use this to divide polynomials by monomials.

definition: DIVISION OF A POLYNOMIAL BY A MONOMIAL

To divide a polynomial by a monomial, divide each term of the polynomial by the monomial.

Example \(\PageIndex{7}\)

Find the quotient: \((18x^3y−36xy^2)÷(−3xy)\).

Answer

\(\begin{array} {ll} {} &{(18x^3y−36xy^2)÷(−3xy)} \\ {\text{Rewrite as a fraction.}} &{\frac{18x^3y−36xy^2}{−3xy}} \\ {\text{Divide each term by the divisor. Be careful with the signs!}} &{\frac{18x^3y}{−3xy}−\frac{36xy^2}{−3xy}} \\ {\text{Simplify.}} &{−6x^2+12y} \\ \end{array}\)

Example \(\PageIndex{8}\)

Find the quotient: \((32a^2b−16ab^2)÷(−8ab)\).

Answer

\(−4a+2b\)

Example \(\PageIndex{9}\)

Find the quotient: \((−48a^8b^4−36a^6b^5)÷(−6a^3b^3)\).

Answer

\(8a^5b+6a^3b^2\)

Divide Polynomials Using Long Division

Divide a polynomial by a binomial, we follow a procedure very similar to long division of numbers. So let’s look carefully the steps we take when we divide a 3-digit number, 875, by a 2-digit number, 25.

We check division by multiplying the quotient by the divisor. If we did the division correctly, the product should equal the dividend.

\[\begin{array} {l} {35·25} \\ {875\checkmark} \\ \nonumber \end{array}\]

Now we will divide a trinomial by a binomial. As you read through the example, notice how similar the steps are to the numerical example above.

Example \(\PageIndex{10}\)

Find the quotient: \((x^2+9x+20)÷(x+5)\).

Answer

Write it as a long division problem. Be sure the dividend is in standard form.
Divide \(x^2\) by \(x\). It may help to ask yourself, “What do I need to multiply \(x\) by to get \(x^2\)?”
Put the answer, \(x\), in the quotient over the \(x\) term. Multiply \(x\) times \(x+5\). Line up the like terms under the dividend.
Subtract \(x^2+5x\) from \(x^2+9x\). You may find it easier to change the signs and then add. Then bring down the last term, 20.
Divide \(4x\) by \(x\). It may help to ask yourself, “What do I need to multiply xx by to get \(4x\)?” Put the answer, \(4\), in the quotient over the constant term.
Multiply 4 times \(x+5\).
Subtract \(4x+20\) from \(4x+20\).
Check: \(\begin{array} {ll} {\text{Multiply the quotient by the divisor.}} &{(x+4)(x+5)} \\ {\text{You should get the dividend.}} &{x^2+9x+20\checkmark}\\ \end{array}\)

Example \(\PageIndex{11}\)

Find the quotient: \((y^2+10y+21)÷(y+3)\).

Answer

\(y+7\)

Example \(\PageIndex{12}\)

Find the quotient: \((m^2+9m+20)÷(m+4)\).

Answer

\(m+5\)

When we divided 875 by 25, we had no remainder. But sometimes division of numbers does leave a remainder. The same is true when we divide polynomials. In the next example, we’ll have a division that leaves a remainder. We write the remainder as a fraction with the divisor as the denominator.

Look back at the dividends in previous examples. The terms were written in descending order of degrees, and there were no missing degrees. The dividend in this example will be \(x^4−x^2+5x−6\). It is missing an \(x^3\) term. We will add in \(0x^3\) as a placeholder.

Example \(\PageIndex{13}\)

Find the quotient: \((x^4−x^2+5x−6)÷(x+2)\).

Answer

Notice that there is no \(x^3\) term in the dividend. We will add \(0x^3\) as a placeholder.

Write it as a long division problem. Be sure the dividend is in standard form with placeholders for missing terms.
Divide \(x^4\) by \(x\). Put the answer, \(x^3\), in the quotient over the \(x^3\) term. Multiply \(x^3\) times \(x+2\). Line up the like terms. Subtract and then bring down the next term.
Divide \(−2x^3\) by \(x\). Put the answer, \(−2x^2\), in the quotient over the \(x^2\) term. Multiply \(−2x^2\) times \(x+1\). Line up the like terms Subtract and bring down the next term.
Divide \(3x^2\) by \(x\). Put the answer, \(3x\), in the quotient over the \(x\) term. Multiply \(3x\) times \(x+1\). Line up the like terms. Subtract and bring down the next term.
Divide \(−x\) by \(x\). Put the answer, \(−1\), in the quotient over the constant term. Multiply \(−1\) times \(x+1\). Line up the like terms. Change the signs, add. Write the remainder as a fraction with the divisor as the denominator.
To check, multiply \((x+2)(x^3−2x^2+3x−1−4x+2)\). The result should be \(x^4−x^2+5x−6\).

Example \(\PageIndex{14}\)

Find the quotient: \((x^4−7x^2+7x+6)÷(x+3)\).

Answer

\(x^3−3x^2+2x+1+3x+3\)

Example \(\PageIndex{15}\)

Find the quotient: \((x^4−11x^2−7x−6)÷(x+3)\).

Answer

\(x^3−3x^2−2x−1−3x+3\)

In the next example, we will divide by \(2a−3\). As we divide, we will have to consider the constants as well as the variables.

Example \(\PageIndex{16}\)

Find the quotient: \((8a^3+27)÷(2a+3)\).

Answer

This time we will show the division all in one step. We need to add two placeholders in order to divide.

To check, multiply \((2a+3)(4a^2−6a+9)\).

The result should be \(8a^3+27\).

Example \(\PageIndex{17}\)

Find the quotient: \((x^3−64)÷(x−4)\).

Answer

\(x^2+4x+16\)

Example \(\PageIndex{18}\)

Find the quotient: \((125x^3−8)÷(5x−2)\).

Answer

\(25x^2+10x+4\)

Divide Polynomials using Synthetic Division

As we have mentioned before, mathematicians like to find patterns to make their work easier. Since long division can be tedious, let’s look back at the long division we did in Example and look for some patterns. We will use this as a basis for what is called synthetic division. The same problem in the synthetic division format is shown next.

Synthetic division basically just removes unnecessary repeated variables and numbers. Here all the \(x\) and \(x^2\) are removed. as well as the \(−x^2\) and \(−4x\) as they are opposite the term above.

• The first row of the synthetic division is the coefficients of the dividend. The \(−5\) is the opposite of the 5 in the divisor.
• The second row of the synthetic division are the numbers shown in red in the division problem.
• The third row of the synthetic division are the numbers shown in blue in the division problem.

Notice the quotient and remainder are shown in the third row.

\[\text{Synthetic division only works when the divisor is of the form }x−c. \nonumber \]

The following example will explain the process.

Example \(\PageIndex{19}\)

Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when \(2x^3+3x^2+x+8\) is divided by \(x+2\).

Answer

Write the dividend with decreasing powers of \(x\).
Write the coefficients of the terms as the first row of the synthetic division.
Write the divisor as \(x−c\) and place c in the synthetic division in the divisor box.
Bring down the first coefficient to the third row.
Multiply that coefficient by the divisor and place the result in the second row under the second coefficient.
Add the second column, putting the result in the third row.
Multiply that result by the divisor and place the result in the second row under the third coefficient.
Add the third column, putting the result in the third row.
Multiply that result by the divisor and place the result in the third row under the third coefficient.
Add the final column, putting the result in the third row.
The quotient is \(2x^2−1x+3\) and the remainder is 2.

The division is complete. The numbers in the third row give us the result. The \(2\space\space\space−1\space\space\space3\) are the coefficients of the quotient. The quotient is \(2x^2−1x+3\). The 2 in the box in the third row is the remainder.

Check:

\(\begin{align} (\text{quotient})(\text{divisor}) + \text{remainder} &= \text{dividend} \nonumber\\ (2x^2−1x+3)(x+2)+2 &\overset{?}{=} 2x^3+3x^2+x+8 \nonumber\\ 2x^3−x^2+3x+4x^2−2x+6+2 &\overset{?}{=} 2x^3+3x^2+x+8 \nonumber\\ 2x^3+3x^2+x+8 &= 2x^3+3x^2+x+8\checkmark \nonumber \end{align} \)

Example \(\PageIndex{20}\)

Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when \(3x^3+10x^2+6x−2\) is divided by \(x+2\).

Answer

\(3x^2+4x−2;\space 2\)

Example \(\PageIndex{21}\)

Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when \(4x^3+5x^2−5x+3\) is divided by \(x+2\).

Answer

\(4x^2−3x+1; 1\)

In the next example, we will do all the steps together.

Example \(\PageIndex{22}\)

Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when \(x^4−16x^2+3x+12\) is divided by \(x+4\).

Answer

The polynomial \(x^4−16x^2+3x+12\) has its term in order with descending degree but we notice there is no \(x^3\) term. We will add a 0 as a placeholder for the \(x^3\) term. In \(x−c\) form, the divisor is \(x−(−4)\).

We divided a \(4^{\text{th}}\) degree polynomial by a \(1^{\text{st}}\) degree polynomial so the quotient will be a \(3^{\text{rd}}\) degree polynomial.

Reading from the third row, the quotient has the coefficients \(1\space\space\space−4\space\space\space0\space\space\space3\), which is \(x^3−4x^2+3\). The remainder
is 0.

Example \(\PageIndex{23}\)

Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when \(x^4−16x^2+5x+20\) is divided by \(x+4\).

Answer

\(x^3−4x^2+5;\space 0\)

Example \(\PageIndex{24}\)

Use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder when \(x^4−9x^2+2x+6\) is divided by \(x+3\).

Answer

\(x^3−3x^2+2;\space 0\)

Divide Polynomial Functions

Just as polynomials can be divided, polynomial functions can also be divided.

definition: DIVISION OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

For functions \(f(x)\) and \(g(x)\), where \(g(x)\neq 0\),

\[\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=\frac{f(x)}{g(x)} \nonumber\]

Example \(\PageIndex{25}\)

For functions \(f(x)=x^2−5x−14\) and \(g(x)=x+2\), find:

1. \((\frac{f}{g})(x)\)
2. \((\frac{f}{g})(−4)\).

Answer

ⓐ

\(\begin{array} {ll} {\text{Substitute for }f(x)\text{ and }g(x).} &{\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=\frac{x^2−5x−14}{x+2}} \\ {\text{Divide the polynomials.}} &{\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=x−7} \\ \end{array} \)

ⓑ In part ⓐ we found \((\frac{f}{g})(x)\) and now are asked to find \((\frac{f}{g})(−4)\).

\(\begin{array} {ll} {} &{\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=x−7} \\ {\text{To find }\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(−4), \text{ substitute }x=−4.} &{\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(−4)=−4−7} \\ {} &{\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(−4)=−11} \\ \end{array}\)

Example \(\PageIndex{26}\)

For functions \(f(x)=x^2−5x−24\) and \(g(x)=x+3\), find:

1. \((\frac{f}{g})(x)\)
2. \((\frac{f}{g})(−3)\).

Answer a

\(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=x−8\)

Answer b

\(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(−3)=−11\)

Example \(\PageIndex{27}\)

For functions \(f(x)=x2−5x−36\) and \(g(x)=x+4\), find:

1. \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)\)
2. \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(−5)\).

Answer a

\(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=x−9\)

Answer b

\(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=x−9\)

Use the Remainder and Factor Theorem

Let’s look at the division problems we have just worked that ended up with a remainder. They are summarized in the chart below. If we take the dividend from each division problem and use it to define a function, we get the functions shown in the chart. When the divisor is written as \(x−c\), the value of the function at \(c\), \(f(c)\), is the same as the remainder from the division problem.

Dividend	Divisor \(x−c\)	Remainder	Function	\(f(c)\)
\(x^4−x^2+5x−6\)	\(x−(−2)\)	\(−4\)	\(f(x)=x^4−x^2+5x−6\)	\(−4\)
\(3x^3−2x^2−10x+8\)	\(x−2\)	4	\(f(x)=3x^3−2x^2−10x+8\)	4
\(x^4−16x^2+3x+15\)	\(x−(−4)\)	3	\(f(x)=x^4−16x^2+3x+15\)	3

To see this more generally, we realize we can check a division problem by multiplying the quotient times the divisor and add the remainder. In function notation we could say, to get the dividend \(f(x)\), we multiply the quotient, \(q(x)\) times the divisor, \(x−c\), and add the remainder, \(r\).

If we evaluate this at c,c, we get:

This leads us to the Remainder Theorem.

definition: REMAINDER THEOREM

If the polynomial function \(f(x)\) is divided by \(x−c\), then the remainder is \(f(c)\).

Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder when \(f(x)=x^3+3x+19\) is divided by \(x+2\).

Answer

To use the Remainder Theorem, we must use the divisor in the \(x−c\) form. We can write the divisor \(x+2\) as \(x−(−2)\). So, our \(c\) is \(−2\).

To find the remainder, we evaluate \(f(c)\) which is \(f(−2)\).

To evaluate \(f(−2)\), substitute \(x=−2\).
Simplify.
	The remainder is 5 when \(f(x)=x^3+3x+19\) is divided by \(x+2\).
Check: Use synthetic division to check.
The remainder is 5.

Example \(\PageIndex{29}\)

Use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder when \(f(x)=x^3+4x+15\) is divided by \(x+2\).

Answer

\(−1\)

Example \(\PageIndex{30}\)

Use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder when \(f(x)=x^3−7x+12\) is divided by \(x+3\).

Answer

\(6\)

When we divided \(8a^3+27\) by \(2a+3\) in Example the result was \(4a^2−6a+9\). To check our work, we multiply \(4a2−6a+9\) by \(2a+3\) to get \(8a^3+27\).

\[(4a^2−6a+9)(2a+3)=8a^3+27 \nonumber \]

Written this way, we can see that \(4a^2−6a+9\) and \(2a+3\) are factors of \(8a^3+27\). When we did the division, the remainder was zero.

Whenever a divisor, \(x−c\), divides a polynomial function, \(f(x)\), and resulting in a remainder of zero, we say \(x−c\) is a factor of \(f(x)\).

The reverse is also true. If \(x−c\) is a factor of \(f(x)\) then \(x−c\) will divide the polynomial function resulting in a remainder of zero.

We will state this in the Factor Theorem.

definition: FACTOR THEOREM

For any polynomial function \(f(x)\),

• if \(x−c\) is a factor of \(f(x)\), then \(f(c)=0\)
• if \(f(c)=0\), then \(x−c\) is a factor of \(f(x)\)

Example \(\PageIndex{31}\)

Use the Remainder Theorem to determine if \(x−4\) is a factor of \(f(x)=x^3−64\).

Answer

The Factor Theorem tells us that \(x−4\) is a factor of \(f(x)=x^3−64\) if \(f(4)=0\).

\(\begin{array} {ll} {} &{f(x)=x^3−64} \\ {\text{To evaluate }f(4) \text{ substitute } x=4.} &{f(4)=4^3−64} \\ {\text{Simplify.}} &{f(4)=64−64} \\ {\text{Subtract.}} &{f(4)=0} \\ \end{array}\)

Since \(f(4)=0, x−4\) is a factor of \(f(x)=x^3−64\).

Example \(\PageIndex{32}\)

Use the Factor Theorem to determine if \(x−5\) is a factor of \(f(x)=x^3−125\).

Answer

yes

Example \(\PageIndex{33}\)

Use the Factor Theorem to determine if \(x−6\) is a factor of \(f(x)=x^3−216\).

Answer

yes

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with dividing polynomials.

• Dividing a Polynomial by a Binomial
• Synthetic Division & Remainder Theorem

Key Concepts

• Division of a Polynomial by a Monomial
  • To divide a polynomial by a monomial, divide each term of the polynomial by the monomial.
• Division of Polynomial Functions
  • For functions \(f(x)\) and \(g(x)\), where \(g(x)\neq 0\),
    \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}\)
• Remainder Theorem
  • If the polynomial function \(f(x)\) is divided by \(x−c\), then the remainder is \(f(c)\).
• Factor Theorem: For any polynomial function \(f(x)\),
  • if \(x−c\) is a factor of \(f(x)\), then \(f(c)=0\)
  • if \(f(c)=0\), then \(x−c\) is a factor of \(f(x)\)

Section Exercises

Practice Makes Perfect

Divide Monomials

In the following exercises, divide the monomials.

\(15r^4s^9÷(15r^4s^9)\)

\(20m^8n^4÷(30m^5n^9)\)

Answer

\(\frac{2m^3}{3n^5}\)

\(\frac{18a^4b^8}{−27a^9b^5}\)

\(\frac{45x^5y^9}{−60x^8y^6}\)

Answer

\(\frac{−3y^3}{4x^3}\)

\(\frac{(10m^5n^4)(5m^3n^6)}{25m^7n^5}\)

\(\frac{(−18p^4q^7)(−6p^3q^8)}{−36p^{12}q^{10}}\)

Answer

\(\frac{−3q^5}{p^5}\)

\(\frac{(6a^4b^3)(4ab^5)}{(12a^2b)(a^3b)}\)

\(\frac{(4u^2v^5)(15u^3v)}{(12u^3v)(u^4v)}\)

Answer

\(\frac{5v^4}{u^2}\)

Divide a Polynomial by a Monomial

In the following exercises, divide each polynomial by the monomial.

\((9n^4+6n^3)÷3n\)

\((8x^3+6x^2)÷2x\)

Answer

\(4x^2+3x\)

\((63m^4−42m^3)÷(−7m^2)\)

\((48y^4−24y^3)÷(−8y^2)\)

Answer

\(−6y^2+3y\)

\(\frac{66x^3y^2−110x^2y^3−44x^4y^3}{11x^2y^2}\)

\(\frac{72r^5s^2+132r^4s^3−96r^3s^5}{12r^2s^2}\)

Answer

\(6r^3+11r^2s−8rs^3\)

\(10x^2+5x−4−5x\)

\(20y^2+12y−1−4y\)

Answer

\(−5y−3+\frac{1}{4y}\)

Divide Polynomials using Long Division

In the following exercises, divide each polynomial by the binomial.

\((y^2+7y+12)÷(y+3)\)

\((a^2−2a−35)÷(a+5)\)

Answer

\(a−7\)

\((6m^2−19m−20)÷(m−4)\)

\((4x^2−17x−15)÷(x−5)\)

Answer

\(4x+3\)

\((q^2+2q+20)÷(q+6)\)

\((p^2+11p+16)÷(p+8)\)

Answer

\(p+3−\frac{8}{p+8}\)

\((3b^3+b^2+4)÷(b+1)\)

\((2n^3−10n+28)÷(n+3)\)

Answer

\(\frac{2n^2−6n+8+4}{n+3}\)

\((z^3+1)÷(z+1)\)

\((m^3+1000)÷(m+10)\)

Answer

\(m^2−10m+100\)

\((64x^3−27)÷(4x−3)\)

\((125y^3−64)÷(5y−4)\)

Answer

\(25y^2+20x+16\)

Divide Polynomials using Synthetic Division

In the following exercises, use synthetic Division to find the quotient and remainder.

\(x^3−6x^2+5x+14\) is divided by \(x+1\)

\(x^3−3x^2−4x+12\) is divided by \(x+2\)

Answer

\(x^2−5x+6; \space 0\)

\(2x^3−11x^2+11x+12\) is divided by \(x−3\)

\(2x^3−11x^2+16x−12\) is divided by \(x−4\)

Answer

\(2x^2−3x+4; \space 4\)

\(x^4-5x^2+2+13x+3\) is divided by \(x+3\)

\(x^4+x^2+6x−10\) is divided by \(x+2\)

Answer

\(x^3−2x^2+5x−4; \space −2\)

\(2x^4−9x^3+5x^2−3x−6\) is divided by \(x−4\)

\(3x^4−11x^3+2x^2+10x+6\) is divided by \(x−3\)

Answer

\(3x^3−2x^2−4x−2;\space 0\)

Divide Polynomial Functions

In the following exercises, divide.

For functions \(f(x)=x^2−13x+36\) and \(g(x)=x−4\), find ⓐ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)\) ⓑ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(−1)\)

For functions \(f(x)=x^2−15x+54\) and \(g(x)=x−9\), find ⓐ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)\) ⓑ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(−5)\)

Answer

ⓐ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=x−6\)
ⓑ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(−5)=−11\)

For functions \(f(x)=x^3+x^2−7x+2\) and \(g(x)=x−2\), find ⓐ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)\) ⓑ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(2)\)

For functions \(f(x)=x^3+2x^2−19x+12\) and \(g(x)=x−3\), find ⓐ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)\) ⓑ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)\)

Answer

ⓐ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=x^2+5x−4\)
ⓑ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(0)=−4\)

For functions \(f(x)=x^2−5x+2\) and \(g(x)=x^2−3x−1\), find ⓐ \((f·g)(x)\) ⓑ \((f·g)(−1)\)

For functions \(f(x)=x^2+4x−3\) and \(g(x)=x^2+2x+4\), find ⓐ \((f·g)(x)\) ⓑ \((f·g)(1)\)

Answer

ⓐ \((f·g)(x)=x^4+6x^3+9x^2+10x−12\); ⓑ \((f·g)(1)=14\)

Use the Remainder and Factor Theorem

In the following exercises, use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder.

\(f(x)=x^3−8x+7\) is divided by \(x+3\)

\(f(x)=x^3−4x−9\) is divided by \(x+2\)

Answer

\(−9\)

\(f(x)=2x^3−6x−24\) divided by \(x−3\)

\(f(x)=7x^2−5x−8\) divided by \(x−1\)

Answer

\(−6\)

In the following exercises, use the Factor Theorem to determine if x−cx−c is a factor of the polynomial function.

Determine whether \(x+3\) a factor of \(x^3+8x^2+21x+18\)

Determine whether \(x+4\) a factor of \(x^3+x^2−14x+8\)

Answer

no

Determine whether \(x−2\) a factor of \(x^3−7x^2+7x−6\)

Determine whether \(x−3\) a factor of \(x^3−7x^2+11x+3\)

Answer

yes

Writing Exercises

James divides \(48y+6\) by 6 this way: \(\frac{48y+6}{6}=48y\). What is wrong with his reasoning?

Divide \(\frac{10x^2+x−12}{2x}\) and explain with words how you get each term of the quotient.

Answer

Answer will vary

Explain when you can use synthetic division.

In your own words, write the steps for synthetic division for \(x^2+5x+6\) divided by \(x−2\).

Answer

Answers will vary.

Self Check

ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section

ⓑ On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your mastery of this section in light of your responses on the checklist? How can you improve this?

Chapter Review Exercises

Add and Subtract Polynomials

Determine the Degree of Polynomials

In the following exercises, determine the type of polynomial.

\(16x^2−40x−25\)

\(5m+9\)

Answer

binomial

\(−15\)

\(y^2+6y^3+9y^4\)

Answer

other polynomial

Add and Subtract Polynomials

In the following exercises, add or subtract the polynomials.

\(4p+11p\)

\(−8y^3−5y^3\)

Answer

\(−13y^3\)

\((4a^2+9a−11)+(6a^2−5a+10)\)

\((8m^2+12m−5)−(2m^2−7m−1)\)

Answer

\(6m^2+19m−4\)

\((y^2−3y+12)+(5y^2−9)\)

\((5u^2+8u)−(4u−7)\)

Answer

\(5u^2+4u+7\)

Find the sum of \(8q^3−27\) and \(q^2+6q−2\).

Find the difference of \(x^2+6x+8\) and \(x^2−8x+15\).

Answer

\(2x^2−2x+23\)

In the following exercises, simplify.

\(17mn^2−(−9mn^2)+3mn^2\)

\(18a−7b−21a\)

Answer

\(−7b−3a\)

\(2pq^2−5p−3q^2\)

\((6a^2+7)+(2a^2−5a−9)\)

Answer

\(8a^2−5a−2\)

\((3p^2−4p−9)+(5p^2+14)\)

\((7m^2−2m−5)−(4m^2+m−8)\)

Answer

\(−3m+3\)

\((7b^2−4b+3)−(8b^2−5b−7)\)

Subtract \((8y^2−y+9)\) from (11y^2−9y−5)\)

Answer

\(3y^2−8y−14\)

Find the difference of \((z^2−4z−12)\) and \((3z^2+2z−11)\)

\((x^3−x^2y)−(4xy^2−y^3)+(3x^2y−xy^2)\)

Answer

\(x^3+2x^2y−4xy^2\)

\((x^3−2x^2y)−(xy^2−3y^3)−(x^2y−4xy^2)\)

Evaluate a Polynomial Function for a Given Value of the Variable

In the following exercises, find the function values for each polynomial function.

For the function \(f(x)=7x^2−3x+5\) find:
ⓐ \(f(5)\) ⓑ \(f(−2)\) ⓒ \(f(0)\)

Answer

ⓐ 165 ⓑ 39 ⓒ 5

For the function \(g(x)=15−16x^2\), find:
ⓐ \(g(−1)\) ⓑ \(g(0)\) ⓒ \(g(2)\)

A pair of glasses is dropped off a bridge 640 feet above a river. The polynomial function \(h(t)=−16t^2+640\) gives the height of the glasses t seconds after they were dropped. Find the height of the glasses when \(t=6\).

Answer

The height is 64 feet.

A manufacturer of the latest soccer shoes has found that the revenue received from selling the shoes at a cost of \(p\) dollars each is given by the polynomial \(R(p)=−5p^2+360p\). Find the revenue received when \(p=110\) dollars.

Add and Subtract Polynomial Functions

In the following exercises, find ⓐ \((f + g)(x)\) ⓑ \((f + g)(3)\) ⓒ \((f − g)(x)\) ⓓ \((f − g)(−2)\)

\(f(x)=2x^2−4x−7\) and \(g(x)=2x^2−x+5\)

Answer

ⓐ \((f+g)(x)=4x^2−5x−2\) ⓑ \((f+g)(3)=19\)
ⓒ \((f−g)(x)=−3x−12\)
ⓓ \((f−g)(−2)=−6\)

\(f(x)=4x^3−3x^2+x−1\) and \(g(x)=8x^3−1\)

Properties of Exponents and Scientific Notation

Simplify Expressions Using the Properties for Exponents

In the following exercises, simplify each expression using the properties for exponents.

\(p^3·p^{10}\)

Answer

\(p^{13}\)

\(2·2^6\)

\(a·a^2·a^3\)

Answer

\(a^6\)

\(x·x^8\)

\(y^a·y^b\)

Answer

\(y^{a+b}\)

\(\frac{2^8}{2^2}\)

\(\frac{a^6}{a}\)

Answer

\(a^5\)

\(\frac{n^3}{n^{12}}\)

\(\frac{1}{x^5}\)

Answer

\(\frac{1}{x^4}\)

\(3^0\)

\(y^0\)

Answer

\(1\)

\((14t)^0\)

\(12a^0−15b^0\)

Answer

\(−3\)

Use the Definition of a Negative Exponent

In the following exercises, simplify each expression.

\(6^{−2}\)

\((−10)^{−3}\)

Answer

\(−\frac{1}{1000}\)

\(5·2^{−4}\)

\((8n)^{−1}\)

Answer

\(\frac{1}{8n}\)

\(y^{−5}\)

\(10^{−3}\)

Answer

\(\frac{1}{1000}\)

\(\frac{1}{a^{−4}}\)

\(\frac{1}{6^{−2}}\)

Answer

\(36\)

\(−5^{−3}\)

\((−\frac{1}{5})^{−3}\)

Answer

\(−\frac{1}{25}\)

\(−(12)^{−3}\)

\((−5)^{−3}\)

Answer

\(−\frac{1}{125}\)

\(\left(\frac{5}{9}\right)^{−2}\)

\(\left(−\frac{3}{x}\right)^{−3}\)

Answer

\(\frac{x^3}{27}\)

In the following exercises, simplify each expression using the Product Property.

\((y^4)^3\)

\((3^2)^5\)

Answer

\(3^{10}\)

\((a^{10})^y\)

\(x^{−3}·x^9\)

Answer

\(x^5\)

\(r^{−5}·r^{−4}\)

\((uv^{−3})(u^{−4}v^{−2})\)

Answer

\(\frac{1}{u^3v^5}\)

\((m^5)^{−1}\)

\(p^5·p^{−2}·p^{−4}\)

Answer

\(\frac{1}{m^5}\)

In the following exercises, simplify each expression using the Power Property.

\((k−2)^{−3}\)

\(\frac{q^4}{q^{20}}\)

Answer

\(\frac{1}{q^{16}}\)

\(\frac{b8}{b^{−2}}\)

\(\frac{n^{−3}}{n^{−5}}\)

Answer

\(n^2\)

In the following exercises, simplify each expression using the Product to a Power Property.

\((−5ab)^3\)

\((−4pq)^0\)

Answer

\(1\)

\((−6x^3)^{−2}\)

\((3y^{−4})^2\)

Answer

\(\frac{9}{y^8}\)

In the following exercises, simplify each expression using the Quotient to a Power Property.

\(\left(\frac{3}{5x}\right)^{−2}\)

\(\left(\frac{3xy^2}{z}\right)^4\)

Answer

\(\frac{81x^4y^8}{z^4}\)

\((4p−3q^2)^2\)

In the following exercises, simplify each expression by applying several properties.

\((x^2y)^2(3xy^5)^3\)

Answer

\(27x^7y^{17}\)

\((−3a^{−2})^4(2a^4)^2(−6a^2)^3\)

\(\left(\frac{3xy^3}{4x^4y^{−2}}\right)^2\left(\frac{6xy^4}{8x^3y^{−2}}\right)^{−1}\)

Answer

\(\frac{3y^4}{4x^4}\)

In the following exercises, write each number in scientific notation.

\(2.568\)

\(5,300,000\)

Answer

\(5.3×10^6\)

\(0.00814\)

In the following exercises, convert each number to decimal form.

\(2.9×10^4\)

Answer

\(29,000\)

\(3.75×10^{−1}\)

\(9.413×10^{−5}\)

Answer

\(0.00009413\)

In the following exercises, multiply or divide as indicated. Write your answer in decimal form.

\((3×10^7)(2×10^{−4})\)

\((1.5×10^{−3})(4.8×10^{−1})\)

Answer

\(0.00072\)

\(\frac{6×10^9}{2×10^{−1}}\)

\(\frac{9×10^{−3}}{1×10^{−6}}\)

Answer

\(9,000\)

Multiply Polynomials

Multiply Monomials

In the following exercises, multiply the monomials.

\((−6p^4)(9p)\)

\((\frac{1}{3}c^2)(30c^8)\)

Answer

\(10c^{10}\)

\((8x^2y^5)(7xy^6)\)

\((\frac{2}{3}m^3n^6)(\frac{1}{6}m^4n^4)\)

Answer

\(\frac{m^7n^{10}}{9}\)

Multiply a Polynomial by a Monomial

In the following exercises, multiply.

\(7(10−x)\)

\(a^2(a^2−9a−36)\)

Answer

\(a^4−9a^3−36a^2\)

\(−5y(125y^3−1)\)

\((4n−5)(2n^3)\)

Answer

\(8n^4−10n^3\)

Multiply a Binomial by a Binomial

In the following exercises, multiply the binomials using:

ⓐ the Distributive Property ⓑ the FOIL method ⓒ the Vertical Method.

\((a+5)(a+2)\)

\((y−4)(y+12)\)

Answer

\(y^2+8y−48\)

\((3x+1)(2x−7)\)

\((6p−11)(3p−10)\)

Answer

\(18p^2−93p+110\)

In the following exercises, multiply the binomials. Use any method.

\((n+8)(n+1)\)

\((k+6)(k−9)\)

Answer

\(k^2−3k−54\)

\((5u−3)(u+8)\)

\((2y−9)(5y−7)\)

Answer

\(10y^2−59y+63\)

\((p+4)(p+7)\)

\((x−8)(x+9)\)

Answer

\(x^2+x−72\)

\((3c+1)(9c−4)\)

\((10a−1)(3a−3)\)

Answer

\(30a^2−33a+3\)

Multiply a Polynomial by a Polynomial

In the following exercises, multiply using ⓐ the Distributive Property ⓑ the Vertical Method.

\((x+1)(x^2−3x−21)\)

\((5b−2)(3b^2+b−9)\)

Answer

\(15b^3−b^2−47b+18\)

In the following exercises, multiply. Use either method.

\((m+6)(m^2−7m−30)\)

\((4y−1)(6y^2−12y+5)\)

Answer

\(24y^2−54y^2+32y−5\)

Multiply Special Products

In the following exercises, square each binomial using the Binomial Squares Pattern.

\((2x−y)^2\)

\((x+\frac{3}{4})^2\)

Answer

\(x^2+\frac{3}{2}x+\frac{9}{16}\)

\((8p^3−3)^2\)

\((5p+7q)^2\)

Answer

\(25p^2+70pq+49q^2\)

In the following exercises, multiply each pair of conjugates using the Product of Conjugates.

\((3y+5)(3y−5)\)

\((6x+y)(6x−y)\)

Answer

\(36x^2−y^2\)

\((a+\frac{2}3b)(a−\frac{2}{3}b)\)

\((12x^3−7y^2)(12x^3+7y^2)\)

Answer

\(144x^6−49y^4\)

\((13a^2−8b4)(13a^2+8b^4)\)

Divide Monomials

Divide Monomials

In the following exercises, divide the monomials.

\(72p^{12}÷8p^3\)

Answer

\(9p^9\)

\(−26a^8÷(2a^2)\)

\(\frac{45y^6}{−15y^{10}}\)

Answer

\(−3y^4\)

\(\frac{−30x^8}{−36x^9}\)

\(\frac{28a^9b}{7a^4b^3}\)

Answer

\(\frac{4a^5}{b^2}\)

\(\frac{11u^6v^3}{55u^2v^8}\)

\(\frac{(5m^9n^3)(8m^3n^2)}{(10mn^4)(m^2n^5)}\)

Answer

\(\frac{4m^9}{n^4}\)

\(\frac{(42r^2s^4)(54rs^2)}{(6rs^3)(9s)}\)

Divide a Polynomial by a Monomial

In the following exercises, divide each polynomial by the monomial

\((54y^4−24y^3)÷(−6y^2)\)

Answer

\(−9y^2+4y\)

\(\frac{63x^3y^2−99x^2y^3−45x^4y^3}{9x^2y^2}\)

\(\frac{12x^2+4x−3}{−4x}\)

Answer

\(−3x−1+\frac{3}{4x}\)

Divide Polynomials using Long Division

In the following exercises, divide each polynomial by the binomial.

\((4x^2−21x−18)÷(x−6)\)

\((y^2+2y+18)÷(y+5)\)

Answer

\(y−3+\frac{33}{q+6}\)

\((n^3−2n^2−6n+27)÷(n+3)\)

\((a^3−1)÷(a+1)\)

Answer

\(a^2+a+1\)

Divide Polynomials using Synthetic Division

In the following exercises, use synthetic Division to find the quotient and remainder.

x3−3x2−4x+12x3−3x2−4x+12 is divided by x+2x+2

\(x^3−3x^2−4x+12\) is divided by \(x+2\)

\(2x^3−11x^2+11x+12\) is divided by \(x−3\)

Answer

\(2x^2−5x−4;\space0\)

\(x^4+x^2+6x−10\) is divided by \(x+2\)

Divide Polynomial Functions

In the following exercises, divide.

For functions \(f(x)=x^2−15x+45\) and \(g(x)=x−9\), find ⓐ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)\)
ⓑ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(−2)\)

Answer

ⓐ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=x−6\)
ⓑ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(−2)=−8\)

For functions \(f(x)=x^3+x^2−7x+2\) and \(g(x)=x−2\), find ⓐ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)\)
ⓑ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(3)\)

Use the Remainder and Factor Theorem

In the following exercises, use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder.

\(f(x)=x^3−4x−9\) is divided by \(x+2\)

Answer

\(−9\)

\(f(x)=2x^3−6x−24\) divided by \(x−3\)

In the following exercises, use the Factor Theorem to determine if \(x−c\) is a factor of the polynomial function.

Determine whether \(x−2\) is a factor of \(x^3−7x^2+7x−6\)

Answer

no

Determine whether \(x−3\) is a factor of \(x^3−7x^2+11x+3\)

Chapter Practice Test

For the polynomial \(8y^4−3y^2+1\)

ⓐ Is it a monomial, binomial, or trinomial? ⓑ What is its degree?

Answer

ⓐ trinomial ⓑ 4

\((5a^2+2a−12)(9a^2+8a−4)\)

\((10x^2−3x+5)−(4x^2−6)\)

Answer

\(6x^2−3x+11\)

\(\left(−\frac{3}{4}\right)^3\)

\(x^{−3}x^4\)

Answer

\(x\)

\(5^65^8\)

\((47a^{18}b^{23}c^5)^0\)

Answer

\(1\)

\(4^{−1}\)

\((2y)^{−3}\)

Answer

\(\frac{1}{8y^3}\)

\(p^{−3}·p^{−8}\)

\(\frac{x^4}{x^{−5}}\)

Answer

\(x^9\)

\((3x^{−3})^2\)

\(\frac{24r^3s}{6r^2s^7}\)

Answer

\(\frac{4r}{s^6}\)

\((x4y9x−3)2\)

\((8xy^3)(−6x^4y^6)\)

Answer

\(−48x^5y^9\)

\(4u(u^2−9u+1)\)

\((m+3)(7m−2)\)

Answer

\(21m^2−19m−6\)

\((n−8)(n^2−4n+11)\)

\((4x−3)^2\)

Answer

\(16x^2−24x+9\)

\((5x+2y)(5x−2y)\)

\((15xy^3−35x^2y)÷5xy\)

Answer

\(3y^2−7x \)

\((3x^3−10x^2+7x+10)÷(3x+2)\)

Use the Factor Theorem to determine if \(x+3\) a factor of \(x^3+8x^2+21x+18\).

Answer

yes

ⓐ Convert 112,000 to scientific notation. ⓑ Convert \(5.25×10^{−4}\) to decimal form.

In the following exercises, simplify and write your answer in decimal form.

\((2.4×10^8)(2×10^{−5})\)

Answer

\(4.4×10^3\)

\(\frac{9×10^4}{3×10^{−1}}\)

For the function \(f(x)=6x^2−3x−9\) find:
ⓐ \(f(3)\) ⓑ \(f(−2)\) ⓒ \(f(0)\)

Answer

ⓐ \(36\) ⓑ \(21\) ⓒ \(-9\)

For \(f(x)=2x^2−3x−5\) and \(g(x)=3x^2−4x+1\), find
ⓐ \((f+g)(x)\) ⓑ \((f+g)(1)\)
ⓒ \((f−g)(x)\) ⓓ \((f−g)(−2)\)

For functions
\(f(x)=3x^2−23x−36\) and
\(g(x)=x−9\), find
ⓐ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)\) ⓑ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(3)\)

Answer

ⓐ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x)=3x+4\)
ⓑ \(\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(3)=13\)

A hiker drops a pebble from a bridge 240 feet above a canyon. The function \(h(t)=−16t^2+240\) gives the height of the pebble \(t\) seconds after it was dropped. Find the height when \(t=3\).