Question

Divide using synthetic division. ( x^4-12x^2-9)/(x+3)

Answer 1

x^3 - 3x^2 - 3x + 9 + (-36/(x+3))

OR

x^3 - 3x^2 - 3x + 9 - (36/(x+3))

Explanation:

First set the divisor equal to 0:

x + 3 = 0

Subtract 3 from both sides

x = -3

This is what you'll divide the dividend by in synthetic division.

Take the coefficents of each term in the dividend. Do not forget the 0 placeholders:

x^4 + 0x^3 - 12x^2 + 0x -9

Coefficents: 1. 0. -12. 0 -9.

Please see the image for the next steps.

The remainder is -36. Put the remainder over the divisor and add it to the polynomial (shown in image)

-36/(x+3)