Final answer:
Synthetic division is a method used in polynomial division to divide a polynomial by a linear factor. It provides a quicker and easier way to divide without using long division.
Step-by-step explanation:
Synthetic division is a method used in polynomial division. It is specifically used to divide a polynomial by a linear factor of the form (x - c), where 'c' is a constant. Synthetic division is a shortcut method that allows for easier and quicker division without the need for long polynomial division.
For example, if we want to divide the polynomial 2x^3 - 5x^2 + 3x - 1 by (x - 2), we can use synthetic division to find the quotient Polynomial (2x^2 - x - 1) and the remainder (-3).
It's important to note that synthetic division can only be used when dividing by a linear factor. For any other type of divisor, such as a quadratic or higher order polynomial, long division should be used.