DIVIDING POLYNOMIALS USING

SYNTHETIC DIVISION
 OBJECTIVES
• a. Illustrate the process of synthetic
division.
• b. Divide polynomials P(x) by another
polynomial D(x) in the form (x – a)
using synthetic division.
• c. Express each quotient using division
algorithm accurately and
systematically. 2
 Kahoot.it

©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 3

•Write the polynomial in
descending order of x
and give its degree, then
divide.
• 8  2  x  6x 3 2

x3
©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 4
Synthetic division is a shorthand
method of dividing a polynomial
by a linear binomial by using only
the coefficients. For synthetic
division to work, the polynomial
must be written in standard form,
using 0 and a coefficient for any
missing terms, and the divisor
must be in the form (x – a).
 P(x)= (x-2) (

©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 6

 Steps for Synthetic Division of a
Polynomial
• Step 1 : To set up the problem, first, set the denominator equal to zero to find
the number to put in the division box. Next, make sure the numerator is
written in descending order and if any terms are missing you must use a zero
to fill in the missing term, finally list only the coefficient in the division
problem.
• Step 2 : Once the problem is set up correctly, bring the leading coefficient (first
number) straight down.
• Step 3 : Multiply the number in the division box with the number you brought
down and put the result in the next column.
• Step 4 : Add the two numbers together and write the result in the bottom of
the row.
• Step 5 : Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you reach the end of the problem.
• Step 6 : Write the final answer. The final answer is made up of the numbers in
the bottom row with the last number being the remainder and the remainder
must be written as a fraction. The variables or x’s start off one power less than
7

the original denominator and go down one with each term

 Synthetic Division
There is a shortcut for long division as long as the divisor is x – k
where k is some number. (Can't have any powers on x).
Set divisor = 0 and 3 2
solve. Put answer
x  6 x  8x  2
here. x3 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
put answer
put answer
1 x 2
+ 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 1
number is one less power
2 top. putthan
column
x  3x  1 
constant along the
column original problem).
If a term is missing, in a 0.
x3
 Let's try another Synthetic Division

0 x3 0x
Set divisor = 0 and 4 2
solve. Put answer
1 x  4x  6
here. x4 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 This is the
these
put and
answer
put answer
1 x 3
+ 4 x 2
+ 12 x + 48 198
put answer
above line remainder
above line Now put variables back in (remember one x was
above
in lineanswer
Sonext
the
List all coefficients
is: 198
(numbers in front of x's) and the
in next divided out 3in process2so first number is one less
in next x  4 x  12 x  48 
constant along the top. Don't forget the 0's for missing
column
column power than original problem so x3).
column
terms. x4
 Let's try a problem where we factor the polynomial
completely given one of its factors.

4 x 3  8 x 2  25 x  50 factor : x  2
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
put answer
put answer
4 x 2
+ 0 x - 25 0 IS a factor because it
above
above line
line Put variables back in (one x was divideddivided in evenly
So the
in Listanswer
all coefficients
is the divisor
(numbers
times in
thefront
quotient: out in
of x's) and the
in next
next
x  24 x 
process
You could
constant
column sothe
check
along first
this number is one
byIf a term
top. less power
is missing, putthan
in 2a 0.
column original
multiplying problem).
them out and  25
getting original polynomial
©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 11
©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 12
©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 13
©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 14
©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 15
 Example – Using Synthetic Division

• Use synthetic division to divide

x4 – 10x2 – 2x + 4 by x + 3.

• Solution:
• You should set up the array as follows. Note that a zero is
included for each missing term in the dividend.
 Example – Solution
cont’d

• Then, use the synthetic division pattern by adding terms in columns

and multiplying the results by –3.

• So, you have

•
 Synthetic Division

Divide x4 – 10x2 – 2x + 4 by x + 3

-3 1 0 -10 -2 4
-3 +9 3 -3

1 -3 -1 1 1
4 2
x  10 x  2 x  4 3 2 1
 x  3x  x  1 
x3 x3
 Long Division.

1 -2 -8 x 1
3
2
x  3 x  2x  8
3 3 2
 x  3 x
1 1 -5
x 8
 x  3
2
f ( x)  x  2 x  8 5
2
f (3)  (3)  2(3)  8
 968
 5
 Example 2B: Using Synthetic Division to Divide by a
Linear Binomial
Divide using synthetic division.
(3x4 – x3 + 5x – 1) ÷ (x + 2)
Step 1 Find a.
Step 2 Bring down each coefficient (missing terms
become 0).Then multiply and add for each
column.

Step 3 Write the quotient.

 Huddle
Divide using synthetic division.
(6x2 – 5x – 6) ÷ (x + 3)

Divide (6x3 + 11x2 – 4x – 9) ÷ (x + 2)

Divide (x4 + 2x3 – 3x + 6) ÷ (x + 2)
 Mastery
Divide using synthetic division.
(x2 – 3x – 18) ÷ (x – 6)
 Each problem was given a corresponding box
below. The remainder of these problems are found
in column B. Write the corresponding letter in the
box provided for the question
Column A
• 1. (2x + 3x - 15x – 16) ÷ (x - 3)
3 2 Column B
-4 (N)
• 2. (x + 4x – 7x - 14) ÷ (x - 2)
3 2
20 (E)
• 3. (2x + 5x - 7x - 12) ÷ (x + 3)
3 2
4 (O)
• 4. (x - 5x - 10x – 12) ÷ (x + 2)
4 2 56 (Y)
0 (J)
• 5. (6x + 3x + 10x + 14) ÷ (2x - 3)
3 2

25
 Do the following with a partner!
Use synthetic division to find the remainder when the following polynomials are divided
by the corresponding linear expressions

©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 26

• 1. (x 3
+ 7x 2
+ 15x + 14) ÷ (x + 3)
• 2. (3x 3
- 7x 2
+ x - 7) ÷ (x - 3)
• 3. (x 3
+ 8x 2
– 5x - 84) ÷ (x + 5)
• 4. (2x 4
+ x 3
- 9x 2
- x + 6) ÷ (x + 2)

©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 27

 Use synthetic division to find the remainder when the following
polynomials are divided by the corresponding linear expressions

• 1. (x + 8x – 5x - 84) ÷ (x + 5)
3 2

• 2. (2x + x - 9x - x + 6) ÷ (x + 2)
4 3 2

• 3. (x - 5x + 11x – 9x - 13) ÷ (x - 3)
4 3 2

• 4. (x + 10x - 16x - 8) ÷ (x + 2)
4 3

• 5. (3x - 15x + 7x + 25) ÷ (x - 4)

3 2
©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 28
 ASSIGNMENT

• Follow up: Dividing Polynomials using synthetic

division
• 1. (4x - 2x + 9x - 6) ÷ (x - 3)
4 3

• 2. (3x + 2x - 4) ÷ (x + 2)
4 3

• B. Study: Remainder Theorem and Factor theorem.

• 1. What is the remainder theorem?
• 2. What is the factor theorem?

©Carolyn C. Wheater, 2000 29