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A Teaching- Learning Package in Mathematics 10

Teacher: Maryland V. Pasilan

Method: Deductive Method

TLP 4.1: Division of Polynomials using synthetic division

Objectives: Through the discussion and examples, the student will be able to:
1. perform division of polynomial using synthetic division.

A. ACTIVATION
LOOKING BACK
The teacher will post on the board a division problem. Ask a volunteer to write his/her solution on the board and
let her explain.
Divide 2x3+4x-10 by x-1.

The teacher will show the process solving the same problem using the synthetic division

Ask the class to pay attention to the following.

1. The numbers in the first column of every step are equal.
2. The first number in every step is the same as the coefficient of the variable in the quotient.

II. BUILDING – UP
Synthetic Division
The division process can be simplified if the division is a linear polynomial of the form x-c. For example, the
solution of Example 4 in the division of polynomials can be shortened in the following way.
By removing the variables as shown, the repetition of numbers in a column can be seen clearly. Removing the
repeated numbers will simplify the process of division.

By moving up the terms under the dividend, the resulting array is formed:

In the array shown above, the leading coefficient of the dividend (2) is rewritten on the bottom row. The top
row of the array consists of -1, which from the divisor x-1, and the numbers 2,0,4, and -10, which are the
coefficients of the dividend 2x3+0x2+4x-10 arranged in descending order. Note that the dividend has no
quadratic term, so) x2 was inserted in the dividend.
Each term in the bottom row is the difference between the numbers in the top row and the middle row,
while each number in the middle row is obtained by multiplying the number preceding it in the bottom row by -
1.
A final simplification can be done by multiplying the numbers in the bottom row by 1 instead of -1, and
by adding the top and middle row instead of subtracting.

The last number in the last row is the remainder while the remaining numbers are the coefficients of the
quotients. Since the divisor in synthetic division is always of degree one, then the quotient is always one degree
less than dividend.
Example 1
Find the quotient and the remainder when 2x4-5x3+x2-2x+4 is divided by x-3.
Solution:
Step 1.
Write down the coefficients of the dividend (arrange in descending powers of x) in one row.

Step 2.
 Identify the value of c from the divisor x-c. Write its value on the left most portion of the row.

Step 3.
Bring down the first coefficient (2) on the third row.

Step 4.
Multiply the first coefficient (2) to the value of c (3). Write the product (6) under the second coefficient
(-5). Add the product (6) and the second coefficient (-5). Write the sum (1) on the third row.

Step 5.
Multiply the sum obtained (1) to c (3). Write the product (3) under the third coefficient (1). Add the
product (3) and the third coefficient (1). Write the sum (4)
on the third row.

Step 6
Repeat the process of multiplication and addition until the last space on the third row is filled-up.

The last number on the last row (34) is the remainder, while the remaining numbers are the coefficients
of the quotient. (Remember that the quotient is always on degree less than the dividend).
Q(x) = 2x3+x2+4x+10
R = 34
Thus, 2x4-5x3+x2-2x+4 = (2x3+x2+4x+10)(x-3) + 34.
Example 2
Divide x3+4x+7 by x+2 using the synthetic division.
Solution:
Side Computation:

Thus, x3+4x+7 = (x2-2x+8)(x+2)-9.

Example 3
Find the quotient between x5-4x3+4x2-6 and x+1.

Side Computation:

Thus, P(x) = (x4-x3-3x2+7x-7)(x+1) +1.

In case the divisor is in the form ax-c, some changes are done to obtain the quotient and remainder. The
c
leftmost number on the first row becomes , and the numbers obtained in the last row (except the remainder) is
a
divided by a to find the answer.
Example 4
Divide 4x4-2x3-2x2+3x-18 by 2x+3
Solution:
ax-c = 2x – 3; a = 2 and c = -3

Follow the steps in the Example 1 but

the leftmost number must in fraction
c
form, .
a

Divide the numbers obtained in the last row (except the remainder) by the value of a(2).

Thus, Q(x) = 2x3-4x2+5x -6, and R = 0.

Example 5
Find the quotient and remainder when 3x5-5x4-9x2+18x – 8 is divided by 3x-5.
Solution:

Divide the numbers obtained in the last row(except the remainder) by the value of a(3).

Thus, Q(x) = x4-3x+1, and R = -3.

How can you use synthetic division if your divisor is nonlinear?

Example 6
Consider the polynomial P(x) = 2x5-8x4+15x3-20x2+17x—6 divided by D(x) = x2-2x+1
The idea is the same when you divide polynomials by linear divisor.
In the case, since the leading coefficient of the divisor is 1, discard the coefficient and take only the
negative coefficient of the next terms representing zero for the missing term if any.

Next step is to bring down the 1st coefficient of the dividend in this case its 2, to the bottom row, then
multiply each element of the coefficient from the divisor
and the product of which are placed diagonally under the
next dividend terms as follows.
 Add the numbers on the second column and write the sum of the last row, then multiply again the
coefficients in the divisor by the sum and write the product under the third column and the second product on
the fourth column.

Continue the process until the second row on the last column is filled up.

Side Computations:

The numbers in the bottom row are the coefficients of quotient whose degree is the difference of the
degree of the dividend and the divisor,
Thus the quotient Q(x) =2x3-4x2+5x-6. In case there is no remainder.
Example 7.
Divide (x5+4x3+2x3-5x2+4x+12) ÷ (x2+4x+4)
Solution:
The quotient is x3-2x+3. Since the remainder is 0, so, there is no remainder.
Thus, x5+4x3+2x3-5x2+4x+12 = (x2+4x+4)(x3-2x+3)
How are dividing ax- c differs in dividing x –c ?
What are the steps that they have on common?
Can we say that they have the same process?

Practice!
A pair activity.
Try This #1!
Using the synthetic division, find the quotient and the remainder. Write your answer on in the form P(x)
= Q(x) • D(x) +R. Show your solutions.
1. (x4+3x2+x-7)÷(x-2) 2. (2x5+x3+x+5)÷(2x+1)

Each pair must prepare a Venn diagram comparing the different process in dividing polynomial. They must
show the process in dividing a polynomial in the two method to compare whether it has different or same
answers.

C. CULMINATION
ASSESMENT
Use synthetic division to find the quotient and the remainder of the following. Write your answers in the form
P(x) = Q(x) • D(x) +R. Show your solutions.
3 2 4 3 2
3 x −5 x −x−2 8 x +6 x + 27 x −15 x−3
1. 3.
x −2 4 x−3

2. (x3+3x2-4x+5) ÷ (x-1) 3. (6x3-11x2+10x-16) ÷ (2x-1)

5. (2x3+x2-5x+3)÷(x+2) 6. (x2-5x+3)÷(x+2)

7. (3x3 + x2 – 8x – 4) ÷ (x- 2) 8. (2x3 – 7x2 – 5x + 4) ÷ (x-4)