Mastering Polynomial Long Division: A Comprehensive Guide

Unlock the secrets of polynomial long division with our step-by-step guide. Learn essential techniques, avoid common mistakes, and boost your algebra skills for academic success.

Dividing Polynomials

Sometimes, most often when dealing with rational expressions, it will be necessary to divide polynomials. This process can seem daunting, especially when we have larger and larger degrees in more complex polynomials. Luckily, however, there are two tried-and-true methods to help with this task! These two methods are synthetic division and long division.

Steps in Solving Synthetic Division:

Synthetic division is a "quick" process that allows one to more efficiently divide polynomials, compared to using good ol' fashioned long division. Despite being more efficient, the synthetic division steps involve equal work, and you need to carefully keep track of all values.

In division, we use the coefficients of the divisor and the dividend, rather than the entire polynomials themselves. We define divisor as the polynomial which we are dividing by, and we define dividend to be the polynomial that we are dividing by the divisor.

Upon completion of this process, we are left with the quotient and a remainder. We define quotient as the "solution" to the division, and we define remainder to be whatever could not be further divided to give a "whole" solution, which will become more clear in the example later.

In summary, division, both by synthetic and long division, can be written in two ways:

1) dividend = (divisor) (quotient) + remainder

2) $\frac{dividend}{divisor} = quotient + \frac{remainder}{divisor}$

Now that we have a firm grasp of the techniques and terminology behind division of polynomials, let's take a look at some synthetic division problems.

Example:

Divide the following polynomial by (x-4):

• Step 1: Setup the Synthetic Division

  Before we can start dividing, it is important to note that we must write out terms for all terms of the quartic function, even if the coefficients are zero.

  

• Step 2: Bring Down the Leading Coefficient to the Bottom Row

  

• Step 3: Multiply c by the Value Just Written on the Bottom Row

  

• Step 4: Add the Column Created in Stem 3

  

• Step 5: Repeat until Done

  

• Step 6: Write out the Final Answer

  

• In this case, the division remainder is 249. We can express this by simply writing it divided by our original divisor, (x-4).

Steps in Solving Polynomial Long Division:

As discussed in the previous section on synthetic division, the terminology and theory behind long division is identical. What is different is the long division steps. This is most clear in some example problems.

Example 1:

Divide using long division: $8x^{3}-14x^{2}+7x-1 \div 2x-5$

• STEP 1: Find first term by dividing the first term of the numerator by the first term of the denominator, and put that in the answer. Then multiply the denominator by that answer, put that below the numerator and subtract to create a new polynomial. Pull down the remaining polynomials.

  

• STEP 2: Find second term by dividing the first term of the numerator by the first term of the denominator, and put that in the answer. Then multiply the denominator by that answer, put that below the numerator and subtract to create a new polynomial then pull down the remaining polynomials.

  

• STEP 3: Find last term by dividing the first term of the numerator by the first term of the denominator, and put that in the answer. Then multiply the denominator by that answer, put that below the numerator and subtract to create a new polynomial.

  

• In summary, we are left with the following since the remainder is a smaller degree polynomial than the divisor:

  

Example 2:

Divide using long division: $\frac{(x^{3}+5x-11)}{(x-2)}$

• STEP 1: Find first term by dividing the first term of the numerator by the first term of the denominator, and put that in the answer. Then multiply the denominator by that answer, put that below the numerator and subtract to create a new polynomial. Pull down the remaining polynomials.

  

• STEP 2: Find second term by dividing the first term of the numerator by the first term of the denominator, and put that in the answer. Then multiply the denominator by that answer, put that below the numerator and subtract to create a new polynomial then pull down the remaining polynomials.

  

• STEP 3: Find last term by dividing the first term of the numerator by the first term of the denominator, and put that in the answer. Then multiply the denominator by that answer, put that below the numerator and subtract to create a new polynomial.

  

• In summary, we are left with the following since the remainder is a smaller degree polynomial than the divisor:

  

Remainder Theorem:

As a final topic of discussion, to save time, the remainder theorem is a powerful for dividing polynomials when things are too complicated or time is short.

According to the Remainder Theorem:

If we divide a polynomial f(x) by (x-c), the remainder of that division is simply equal to f(c).

This theorem is especially helpful because it reduces the amount of work we have to do to solve these types of problems. Without this theorem, we would have to go to the trouble of using long division and/or synthetic division to solve for the remainder, which is difficult and time consuming.

And that's everything! You now have all the tools needed to divide any pair of polynomials. Try practicing and mastering synthetic and long division before using the handy trick of the remainder theorem, first. For a useful division calculator, check out this great link here. Lastly, for further and related study, see our videos on rational expressions, dividing rational expressions, dividing polynomials, and the integration of rational functions by partial fractions.

• Simplifying rational expressions and restrictions
• Dividing rational expressions
• Dividing functions

• Integration of rational functions by partial fractions