NUFYP Mathematics: Dividing and Factorizing Polynomials

Foundation Year Program
NUFYP Mathematics
1.4 Dividing polynomials
Albina Gale
2019-2020
Lecture Outline
Division of Factorizing
polynomials polynomials
Factor Real root

Long composition of a
theorem
cubic polynomial
Synthetic Remainder
theorem
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Introduction
In lecture 1.2 we defined a polynomial function as
where is a non-negative integer and .

 are the coefficients
 is the constant coefficient or constant term
 is the leading coefficient, and the term is the leading term.
We also looked at polynomial functions of degree 1 (linear) and

2 (quadratic). In this lecture, we will extend our study to
polynomial functions of higher degrees.
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1.4.1 Divide a polynomial by another

polynomial using long division
Dividing polynomials is much like the familiar process of dividing
numbers. When we divide 38 by 7, the quotient is 5 and the
remainder is 3.
We write 38 = 7 x 5 + 3
or, alternatively,
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1.4.1 Divide a polynomial by another

polynomial using long division
! The word ‘remainder’ is pronounced as [rɪˈmeɪn.dər]

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Example 1
Divide by .
Solution
The dividend is and the divisor is .
We begin by arranging them as follows:
Next we divide the leading term in the dividend by the

leading term in the divisor to get the first term of the
quotient: .
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cont’d
Then we multiply the divisor by and subtract the

result from the dividend.
Divide leading terms:

6 𝑥 2 −26 𝑥 +12 𝑥−4
2 × Multiply:
6 𝑥 −24 𝑥 6𝑥 Subtract and “bring
−2 𝑥+12 down” 12
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We repeat the process using the last line –2x + 12 as

the dividend.
6 𝑥 2 −26 𝑥 +12 𝑥−4 Divide leading terms:

×
2
6 𝑥 −24 𝑥 6 𝑥−2
−2 𝑥+12 Multiply:
−2 𝑥+8
4 Subtract
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The division process ends when the last line is of lessercont’d

degree than the divisor. The last line then contains the
remainder, and the top line contains the quotient.
The result of the division can be interpreted in either of
two ways:
or
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Your turn!
Divide by and write the result in the form
Solution
The dividend is and the divisor is .

We begin by arranging them as follows:
Next we divide the leading term in the dividend by the

leading term in the divisor to get the first term of the
quotient:
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3 𝑥3 −5 𝑥 2+10 𝑥 − 3 3 𝑥+1
− 3
𝑥 −2 𝑥+4
2
3 𝑥 +𝑥 2
2
− −6 𝑥 + 10 𝑥 −3
2
−6 𝑥 − 2 𝑥
12 𝑥 −
− 12 𝑥 +43
−7
3 𝑥 −5 𝑥 +10 𝑥 − 3=( 3 𝑥+1 ) ( 𝑥 −2 𝑥+ 4 ) − 7

3 2 2
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The same technique applies to division of polynomials

of higher degrees as long as the degree of the divisor is
less or equal to the degree of the dividend.
Example 2
Divide by .
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Solution
4
−2 𝑥 + 4 𝑥 + 8 𝑥 − 6 𝑥 −2 𝑥2 𝑥 − 3
7 5 4 3 2
− 7
− 2 𝑥 +3 𝑥 3
− 𝑥 𝑥 +4
+2
3
5 4 3 2
− 4 𝑥 +8 𝑥 −9 𝑥 − 2 𝑥
5
4 𝑥 −6 𝑥
4 3 2
8 𝑥
− 8 𝑥 4 − 12−9 𝑥 − 2 𝑥 + 6 𝑥
−9 𝑥 3 − 2 𝑥 2 +6 𝑥+12
In this case, the quotient is and the remainder is .
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1.4.2 Divide a polynomial by a linear

polynomial using synthetic division
• Synthetic division is a quick method of dividing
polynomials; it can only be used when the divisor is of
the form .
• In synthetic division we write only the essential parts

of the polynomial division.
• Compare the following long and synthetic divisions, in

which we divide by .
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Example 3
Use synthetic division to divide by
Solution
We begin by writing the appropriate coefficients to
represent the divisor and the dividend. Note that even
if there is no visible term, we must still consider it. Its
coefficient is 0.
We will bring down the 2, multiply 3  2 = 6, and

write the result in the middle row. Then we add.
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cont’d
3 2 -7 0 5 Multiply: 3  2 = 6
6
Add: –7 + 6 = –1
2 -1
We repeat this process of multiplying and then
adding until the table is complete.
3 2 -7 0 5
6 -3 Multiply: 3(–1) = –3
2 -1 -3 Add: 0 + (–3) = –3
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cont’d
3 2 -7 0 5
6 -3 -9 Multiply: 3(–3) = –9
2 -1 -3 -4
Add: 5 + (–9) = –4
Thus
Alternatively, we can write
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Long Division Synthetic Division
In synthetic division we abbreviate by writing only the

coefficients:
Instead of , we simply write .

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Your turn! cont’d
Use synthetic division to divide

by .
Solution:
Keep in mind that the variable is still .
is just a number.
3
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1.4.3 Apply the factor theorem to factorize

polynomials
The next theorem says that zeros of polynomials
correspond to factors.
If is a zero of , then is a factor

of .
Conversely, if is a factor of , is a zero of
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Proof
If factors as , then
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Example 4 cont’d
Let .
Show that , and use this information to factor

completely.
Solution
Substituting, we see that
By the Factor Theorem this means that is a factor of .
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Using synthetic or long division, as shown below: cont’d
Notice
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Then it’s easy to see that cont’d
Given polynomial
Using synthetic
or long division
Factor quadratic
x2 + x – 6
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Example 5 cont’d
Let .
a) Show that is a factor of using the factor theorem.

b) Factorize completely using synthetic division.
Solution
a)
By the Factor Theorem this means that is a factor of
.
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b) Synthetic division allows us to use the divisor in the form

cont’d
, but is in the form .
How can we use synthetic division in this case?
 We can write as . This means that dividing by is the

same as first dividing by and then dividing the result by
2.
-1/2 2 3 -11 -6
-1 -1 6
2 2 -12 0
We can therefore write
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Solution
Factorize the quadratic term using the Vieta’s formula

Finally,
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1.4.4 Apply the remainder theorem to find cont’d

the
remainder
You can use the remainder theorem to find the

remainder value:
If the polynomial is divided by then the

remainder is the value .
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Proof
If the divisor in the Division Algorithm is of the form for

some real number , then the remainder must be a
constant (since the degree of the remainder is les than the
degree of the divisor). If we call this constant then
Replacing by in this equation, we get

that is, is the remainder .
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Example 6 cont’d
Let .
a) Find the quotient and remainder when is divided by .

b) Use the Remainder Theorem to find
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Solution cont’d
a) Since , the synthetic division for this problem takes

the following form:
-1 1 -1 1 5
Remainder is 2, so
-1 2 -3
1 -2 3 2
The quotient is , and the remainder is .
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b) By the Remainder Theorem, is the remainder whencont’d

cont’d
is divided by
To find we simply substitute –1 into :
Now,
So,
Therefore, the remainder is .
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Your turn! cont’d
Let .
a) Use synthetic division to find the quotient and
remainder when is divided by .
b) What is the value of ?
Solution
a) First, we observe that is not of the type . However, it
can be written as .
This means that dividing by is the same as first dividing

by and then dividing the result by 2.
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Using synthetic division with , we can write:

cont’d
Therefore, dividing again by 2, we have:
The quotient is , and the remainder is 38.
Note that the remainder did NOT change after dividing

the quotient by 2.
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Solution cont’d
b) The value of ) is the remainder of when divided by ,

that is,
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Remainder Theorem – version 2 cont’d
Based on the previous exercise, we can state the

following:
Remainder Theorem – version 2
When a polynomial is divided by the remainder

is .
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Example 7
and
and
Also
Find .
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Solution
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Your turn!
.
It is known that when is divided by or the
remainders are equal. Find .
Solution
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1.4.5 Identify the real root composition from the

graph of a cubic polynomial
The graphs of polynomials of degree 0 and 1 are lines, and the
graphs of polynomials of degree 2 are parabolas. The greater
the degree of a polynomial, the more complicated the graph
can be. However, the graph of a polynomial is continuous. This
means the graph has no breaks or holes.
Moreover, the graph of a polynomial function is a smooth
curve, that is, it has no corners or sharp points.
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1.4.5 Identify the real root composition

from the graph of a cubic polynomial
In this lecture we want to explore how the zeros of a cubic

polynomial and their multiplicity affect the shape of the
graph. In the next lecture you will learn basics of sketching
a cubic polynomial.
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Case A: p(x) has a triple zero

𝑝 ( 𝑥 )=𝑘( 𝑥 − 𝑎)3
k>0 𝑦 k<0 𝑦
𝑎 𝑥 𝑎 𝑥
𝑎∈ ℝ 𝑎∈ ℝ
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Case B: p(x) has a double zero

𝑝 ( 𝑥 )=𝑘( 𝑥 − 𝑎)( 𝑥 −𝑏)2
k>0 𝑦 k<0 𝑦
𝑎 𝑏 𝑥 𝑏 𝑎 𝑥
𝑎 ,𝑏∈ ℝ 𝑎 ,𝑏∈ ℝ
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Case C: p(x) has three linear distinct factors

𝑝 ( 𝑥 )=𝑘(𝑥 − 𝑎)(𝑥 −𝑏)(𝑥 − 𝑐)
k>0 𝑦 k<0 𝑦
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑥 𝑎 𝑏 𝑐𝑥
𝑎 ,𝑏,𝑐∈ ℝ 𝑎 ,𝑏,𝑐 ∈ ℝ
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Case D: p(x) has an irreducible quadratic

factor 2
𝑝 ( 𝑥 )=𝑘( 𝑥 − 𝑎)( 𝑥 +𝑝𝑥 +𝑞)
Does not have
real zeros
k>0 𝑦 k<0 𝑦
𝑎 𝑥 𝑎 𝑥
𝑎∈ ℝ 𝑎∈ ℝ
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Your turn!
Match the cubic function with one of the graphs shown.
y y
I II III
x x
a)
y y
IV V b)
c)
x x
d) e)
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Suggested solution
1) First, we can look at the y-intercept. All of the graphs except III
intersect the y-axis at (0,-1). All of the equations except b have the
free term -1. Therefore b corresponds to graph III. You can factorize
the polynomial to confirm the x-intercepts.
2) Next, we look at the leading coefficients. Equations a and d both

have negative 1/2. This corresponds to graphs I and V. Graph I has
three distinct roots, graph V has a repeated root. Factorize one of
the two polynomials.
d)
Therefore, d – I and a – V.
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3) The two remaining pairs are graphs II and IV and equations c and
e. Both polynomials have a zero . We can use synthetic division to
find which of the two functions has an irreducible quadratic factor.
Or we can use the factor theorem to check which of the two
polynomials has a factor or .
c)
equation c describes graph IV.
And finally, graph II corresponds to e. We can confirm it using
synthetic division:
2 1 -3 5/2 -1
2 -2 1
1 -1 1/2 0
does not have real zeros, so the graph has only one x-intercept.
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Additional problems
1) Use synthetic division to divide by .
2) Let .
Show that is a factor of using:
a) The factor theorem b) Algebraic division.
3) Let .
a) Find the quotient and remainder when is divided
by .
b) Use the Remainder Theorem to find .
4) .
Given that is a factor of and when is divided by the remainder is
equal to 10. Find and .
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Learning outcomes
1.4.1 Divide a polynomial by another polynomial using long
division
1.4.2 Divide a polynomial by a linear polynomial using

synthetic division
1.4.3 Apply the factor theorem to factorize polynomials
1.4.4 Apply the remainder theorem to find the remainder
1.4.5 Identify the real root composition from the graph of a

cubic polynomial
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Formulae
Factor theorem
If is a zero of , then is a factor
of .
Remainder Theorem
When a polynomial is divided by the remainder is .
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Preview: Graph transformation 1

Please do the following exercise for the next lecture.
1. Go to https://www.desmos.com/calculator
2. Type “y=sinx+a” then it will pop up “add slider : a” then click on “a”.
3. Change the value of a on the slider and see how the graph changes.
4. Repeat the same exercise for “y=sin(x+b)”, “y=csinx” and “y=sin(dx)”
Note: We will study the graphs of trigonometric functions in the lecture

3.2. For this activity, you are not expected to know how to sketch the
graph of the sine function.
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Foundation Year Program

1.4 Dividing polynomials

Factor Real root

where is a non-negative integer and .

We also looked at polynomial functions of degree 1 (linear) and

1.4.1 Divide a polynomial by another

1.4.1 Divide a polynomial by another

! The word ‘remainder’ is pronounced as [rɪˈmeɪn.dər]

We begin by arranging them as follows:

Next we divide the leading term in the dividend by the

Then we multiply the divisor by and subtract the

Divide leading terms:

We repeat the process using the last line –2x + 12 as

6 𝑥 2 −26 𝑥 +12 𝑥−4 Divide leading terms:

The division process ends when the last line is of lessercont’d

The dividend is and the divisor is .

Next we divide the leading term in the dividend by the

3 𝑥 −5 𝑥 +10 𝑥 − 3=( 3 𝑥+1 ) ( 𝑥 −2 𝑥+ 4 ) − 7

The same technique applies to division of polynomials

In this case, the quotient is and the remainder is .

1.4.2 Divide a polynomial by a linear

• In synthetic division we write only the essential parts

• Compare the following long and synthetic divisions, in

We will bring down the 2, multiply 3  2 = 6, and

Alternatively, we can write

Long Division Synthetic Division

In synthetic division we abbreviate by writing only the

Instead of , we simply write .

Your turn! cont’d

Use synthetic division to divide

1.4.3 Apply the factor theorem to factorize

If is a zero of , then is a factor

Show that , and use this information to factor

By the Factor Theorem this means that is a factor of .

Using synthetic or long division, as shown below: cont’d

Then it’s easy to see that cont’d

a) Show that is a factor of using the factor theorem.

b) Synthetic division allows us to use the divisor in the form

 We can write as . This means that dividing by is the

Factorize the quadratic term using the Vieta’s formula

1.4.4 Apply the remainder theorem to find cont’d

You can use the remainder theorem to find the

If the polynomial is divided by then the

If the divisor in the Division Algorithm is of the form for

Replacing by in this equation, we get

a) Find the quotient and remainder when is divided by .

a) Since , the synthetic division for this problem takes

The quotient is , and the remainder is .

b) By the Remainder Theorem, is the remainder whencont’d

To find we simply substitute –1 into :

Therefore, the remainder is .

Your turn! cont’d

This means that dividing by is the same as first dividing

Using synthetic division with , we can write:

Therefore, dividing again by 2, we have:

The quotient is , and the remainder is 38.

Note that the remainder did NOT change after dividing

b) The value of ) is the remainder of when divided by ,

Remainder Theorem – version 2 cont’d

Based on the previous exercise, we can state the

Remainder Theorem – version 2

When a polynomial is divided by the remainder

1.4.5 Identify the real root composition from the