154k views
4 votes
Which of the following expressions is this one equivalent to?

(x^4 - 2x^3 - x + 2)➗ (x^3 - 1)

A. x^2 + x + 1

B. x - 2

C. x^2 - 1

D. x^2 + 3x + 2

User Tom Elmore
by
5.1k points

2 Answers

4 votes

Answer:

Option B. x - 2

Explanation:

1. We proceed to consider the dividend x^4 −2x^3 − x + 2 as the first "Remainder".

2. Divide the principal term of the remainder, (x^4), by the principal term of the denominator, (x^3):

x^4 / x^3 = x, the result x is the first term of the quotient.

3. We take the term we just obtained and multiply it by the denominator:

x⋅ (x^3 − 1) = x^4 − x

4. We subtract from the numerator the result of the previous multiplication, giving rise to the next remainder.

-> New remainder: x^4 − 2x^3 – x + 2 - (x^4 − x) = x^4 − 2x^3 – x + 2 – x^4 + x = −2x^3 + 2

New remainder: −2x^3 + 2

5. Divide the principal term of the remainder, (−2x^3), by the principal term of the denominator, (x^3):

−2x^3 / x^3 = -2, the result −2 is the next quotient term.

So far the quotient is: x − 2

6. We take the term we just obtained and multiply it by the denominator:

−2⋅ (x^3 − 1) = −2x^3 + 2

7. We subtract from the numerator the result of the previous multiplication, giving rise to the next remainder.

-> New remainder: −2x^3 + 2 - (−2x^3 + 2) = −2x^3 + 2 + 2x^3 - 2 = 0

New remainder: 0

8. There is no remainder, which indicates the end of the division process.

9. The final result of this polynomial division is the quotient:

x – 2

User Defrex
by
5.2k points
0 votes
Use grouping to factor the numerator (top):
x^4 - 2x³ -x + 2
x³(x-2) -1(x-2)
=(x³-1)(x-2)
Cancel the (x³-1) factor from the numerator and denominator leaves (x-2).

Answer: B
User JaseAnderson
by
5.5k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.