Section 2.

3 • Polynomial and Synthetic Division 39

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Section 2.3 Polynomial and Synthetic Division

Objective: In this lesson you learned how to use long division and
synthetic division to divide polynomials by other
polynomials.

Important Vocabulary Define each term or concept.

Division Algorithm If f(x) and d(x) are polynomials such that d(x) ≠ 0, and the degree
of d(x) is less than or equal to the degree of f(x), there exist unique polynomials q(x)
and r(x) such that f(x) = d(x)q(x) + r(x) where r(x) = 0 or the degree of r(x) is less than
the degree of d(x).
Improper A rational expression f(x)/d(x) where the degree of f(x) is greater than or
equal to the degree of d(x).
Proper A rational expression r(x)/d(x) where the degree of r(x) is less than the degree
of d(x).
Synthetic division A shortcut for long division of polynomials when dividing by
divisors of the form x – k.

I. Long Division of Polynomials (Pages 153−155) What you should learn

How to use long division
Dividing polynomials is valuable when . . . factoring and to divide polynomials by
finding zeros of polynomial functions. other polynomials

When dividing a polynomial f(x) by another polynomial d(x), if

the remainder r(x) is zero, d(x) divides evenly into f(x).

Before applying the Division Algorithm, follow these steps:

1. Write the dividend and divisor in descending powers of the variable.
2. Insert placeholders with zero coefficients for missing powers of the
variable.

Example 1: Divide 3x 3 + 4 x − 2 by x 2 + 2 x + 1 .
3x − 6 + (13x + 4)/(x2 + 2x + 1)

II. Synthetic Division (Page 156)

What you should learn
How to use synthetic
Can synthetic division be used to divide a polynomial by x − 5? 2
division to divide
Explain. polynomials by binomials
of the form (x − k)
No, the divisor must be in the form x − k.

Can synthetic division be used to divide a polynomial by x + 4?

Explain.

Yes, rewrite x + 4 as x − (− 4).

Larson/Hostetler Precalculus/Precalculus with Limits Notetaking Guide IAE

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40 Chapter 2 • Polynomial and Rational Functions

Example 2: Fill in the following synthetic division array to

divide 2 x 4 + 5 x 2 − 3 by x − 5. Then carry out the
synthetic division and indicate which entry
represents the remainder.
5 2 0 5 0 −3
10 50 275 1375
2 10 55 275 1372 ← remainder

III. The Remainder and Factor Theorems (Pages 157−158) What you should learn
How to use the
The Remainder Theorem states that . . . if a polynomial f(x) Remainder Theorem and
is divided by x – k, then the remainder is r = f(k). the Factor Theorem

To use the Remainder Theorem to evaluate a polynomial

function f(x) at x = k, . . . use synthetic division to divide
f(x) by x − k. The remainder will be f(k).

Example 3: Use the Remainder Theorem to evaluate the

function f ( x) = 2 x 4 + 5 x 2 − 3 at x = 5.
1372

The Factor Theorem states that . . . a polynomial f(x) has a

factor (x – k) if and only if f(k) = 0.

To use the Factor Theorem to show that (x − k) is a factor of a

polynomial function f(x), . . . use synthetic division on f(x)
with the factor (x − k). If the remainder is 0, then (x − k) is a
factor. Or, alternatively, evaluate f(x) at x = k. If the result is 0,
then (x − k) is a factor.

List three facts about the remainder r, obtained in the synthetic

division of f(x) by x − k:
1) The remainder r gives the value of f at x = k. That is, r = f(k).
2) If r = 0, (x − k) is a factor of f(x).
3) If r = 0, (k, 0) is an x-intercept of the graph of f.

Homework Assignment
Page(s)

Exercises

Larson/Hostetler Precalculus/Precalculus with Limits Notetaking Guide IAE

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