Question

1. When dividing polynomials, describe when it is appropriate to use A) term-by-term division and B) long division.

Answer 1

4xy² + 3x -5 polynomial example

example of a polynomial

this one has 3 terms

Dividing

polynomial division

Polynomials can sometimes be divided using the simple methods shown on Dividing Polynomials.

But sometimes it is better to use "Long Division" (a method similar to Long Division for Numbers)

Numerator and Denominator

We can give each polynomial a name:

x² + 2x -7 (numerator)

_________

x-2 (denominator)

`* - {}^(2) \sqrt{ * {}^(2) } + 2 * - 7`

Both polynomials should have the "higher order" terms first (those with the largest exponents, like the "2" in x2).

then :

divide: the first term of the numerator

by the first term of denominator and put that answer

multiply the denominator by that answer, put that below the numerator

subtract to create a new polynomial

repeat using the polynomial