Upper six Mathematics 2021

Term 1

Lesson 3

Pure Mathematics Paper 3

Syllabus section: 3.1

Topic: Algebra

Subtopic: Division of polynomials

Objectives: By the end of the lesson students should be able to;

 divide a polynomial, of degree not exceeding 4, by a linear or quadratic polynomial, and

identify the quotient and remainder (which may be zero)

Introduction

In the lower classes you dealt with multiplication, addition and subtraction of algebraic terms and
expressions as well as division of algebraic terms and expressions. The division involved terms like
( )( )
or expressions that divide exactly without leaving a remainder like, ( )
. The division was
easy after factorisation. In this lesson we are going to carry out long division of polynomials
[algebraic expressions of order not exceeding 4]. Before delving into detail let’s revisit terms that are
used when we divide.

Polynomial means an algebraic expression with many [POLY] single terms combined by addition or
subtraction.

Order of a polynomial is simply the highest power of an algebraic expression, for example,
is a polynomial of order 3 because the highest power is 3.

When we divide, , 100 is called the DIVIDEND and 10 is called the DIVISOR and the exact result
that we get is called a QUOTIENT and since there is no REMAINDER in this division it means 10 is a
FACTOR of 100.

The relationship between Dividend, quotient, divisor and remainder if it is there is

If the remainder is zero then the divisor divides exactly into the dividend and it is called a factor of
the dividend.

For Example,

And thus ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

1
 ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

Please keep this relationship in mind because this is the fundamental idea behind the Factor and
the Remainder Theorems that will be discussed latter.

2
 Example 2

Example 3

3
Exercise 3

Answer all items in Q1, each item is worth 2 marks then one individual question as follows

Q2-Chikwakwa
Q3-Mawisire
Q4-Nomvelo
Q5-Mildred
Q6-Sevie
Q7-Rutendo
Q8-Tadiwanashe
Q9-Tanatswa
Q10-Ronnie
Q11-Laurance
Q12-Agness

Your individual problem is worth 8 marks

4
5
End of Exercise