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Polynomial division and the remainder theorem

Long division, synthetic division, and why f(a) is the remainder on dividing by x − a.

Dividing polynomials works like long division of integers: divide the leading terms, multiply back, subtract, repeat. The remainder theorem says dividing f(x) by x − a leaves remainder f(a), so a is a root exactly when the division is clean. Picture it: the quotient's graph is the original with the root's factor removed. Think it: this is the Euclidean algorithm again, over polynomials instead of integers.

Ejemplo resuelto · simplify (x^3 - 1)/(x - 1)

Algebra · Simplifying

Simplify (x^3 - 1)/(x - 1)

\frac{x^{3} - 1}{x - 1}

Paso a paso

  1. \frac{x^{3} - 1}{x - 1}

    Start from the expression.

  2. x^{2} + x + 1

    Factor numerator and denominator and cancel common factors.

Revelar la respuesta
x^{2} + x + 1

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Símbolos utilizados aquí

Toque cualquier símbolo para la definición completa, una imagen, y lo que cada letra en ella significa.

Cómo: Polynomial division and the remainder theorem

  1. Start from the expression.
  2. Factor numerator and denominator and cancel common factors.

Preguntas que la gente hace

What is a function, really?

A rule that assigns exactly one output to each input. The vertical-line test on a graph is the same idea: no input may have two outputs.

Why do we need complex numbers?

Because x² + 1 = 0 has no real solution, and allowing one new number i with i² = −1 makes every polynomial equation solvable. They then turn out to describe rotation, waves and alternating current more naturally than real numbers do.

Más en Precalculus

Complex numbersPolynomial functionsRational functionsSequences and seriesThe binomial theoremConic sectionsVectorsExponential and logarithmic functionsParametric equations and polar coordinates