Dividing

Polynomials
Using Synthetic
Division
 Synthetic Division

Synthetic division is a shortcut method of

performing long division with polynomials.
It is used only when a polynomial is divided
by a first-degree binomial of the form x – k,
where the coefficient of x is 1.
 In order to use synthetic division these
two things must happen:
#1
#2
There must be a
The divisor must
coefficient for
have a leading
every possible
coefficient of 1.
power of the
variable.
Step #1: Write the terms of the
polynomial so the degrees are in
descending order.
 Synthetic Division

Set divisor = 0 and

solve. Put answer
1
here.
x + 3 = 0 so x = - 3
-3 1 6 8 -2
Multiply
Multiply
- 3 firstAdd
Bring - 9theseAdd
number up3these
down below
Addupthese
line up
these
these and
and 2
put answer
put answer
1 x +3 x - 1 1 This is the remainder
above
above line
line Put variables back in (one x was divided out in
So the
in Listanswer
all coefficients
is: (numbers in front of x's) and the
in next
next process so first number is one less power than
constant along the top. If a term is missing, put in a 0.
column
column original problem).
Remember to place the
remainder over the
divisor.
 Let's try another Synthetic Division

0 x3 0x
Set divisor = 0 and
solve. Put answer
1
here.
x - 4 = 0 so x = 4
4 1 0 -4 0 6
Multiply
Multiply
4 firstAdd
Bring 16theseAdd
number up48
downthese192
below
Addupthese
line
Add
up these up
Multiply
these
these and
and 3 2 This is the
these
put and
answer
put answer
1 x + 4 x + 12 x + 48 198
put answer
above line remainder
above line Now put variables back in (remember one x was
above
in line
Sonext
the
Listanswer
all coefficients
is: (numbers in front of x's) and the
in next divided out in process so first number is one less
in next
constant along the top. Don't forget the 0's for missing
column
column power than original problem so x3).
column
terms.
 Let's try a problem where we factor the polynomial
completely given one of its factors.

You want to divide

the factor into the
polynomial so set
divisor = 0 and solve
-2 4 8 -25 -50 for first number.
Multiply
Multiply
- 8 firstAdd
Bring 0theseAdd
number up
50these
down below
Addupthese
line up
these
these and
and No remainder so x + 2
2
put
put answer
answer
4 x + 0 x - 25 0 IS a factor because it
above
above line
line Put variables back in (one x was divideddivided in evenly
Sonext
in the
Listanswer
all coefficients
is the divisor
(numbers
times in
thefront
quotient: outthe
of x's) and in
in next process sothe
first number is one less power
You could
constant
column check
along this byIf a term
top. is missing, putthan
in a 0.
column
multiplying original
them outproblem).
and getting
original polynomial