MATHS

06 Synthetic division (A/M principle)

This is the most common method taught. It only deals with the coefficients of the cubic
polynomial. It works as follows:
Example 4
Solve for in 3 + 2 2 2 = 0

To find the first factor, we must use trial and error and substitute numbers into the equation
to find out which number gives an answer of zero. When we find one, this will be a factor.
We know this since that is the basis behind the factor theorem!
Thus, through the factor theorem, we find that:
(1) = 0
( 1)
Now the synthetic division! This is also known as the A/M principle where A/M stands for
Add/Multiply. Thus, we add down, then multiply up by the factor number and then fill in the
next column.

ALWAYS put
a ZERO here!!

1 1
2
0 A 1
M
1
3

-1
3
2

-2
2
0

+ +
3 + 2 2 2 = 0
( 1)( 2 + 3 + 2) = 0
( 1)( + 2)( + 1)
= 1 = 2 = 1

What happens if the factor number is a fraction??

(This will result from a bracket that has a number greater than 1 as a coefficient of )
Nothing will change in the methods, except for synthetic division. This will be demonstrated
below:
Example 5
Solve for in 2 3 2 8 + 4 = 0, if it is given that 2 1 is a factor.

We know that the first factor is since it was given in the question. Thus:
(2 1)
1
= 0
2
Now the synthetic division!

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MATHS

This is also known as the A/M principle where A/M stands for Add/Multiply. Thus, we add
down, then multiply up by the factor number and then fill in the next column.

ALWAYS put
a zero here!!

1
2

-1

-8

0 A
M 2

1
0

0
-8

-4
0

There is a problem since if we multiply the factor by the resultant quadratic, we do not get
the required cubic polynomial from the question!
(2 1)(2 2 8)
= 4 3 16 2 2 + 8
= 4 3 2 2 16 + 8
However, the question asked for 2 3 2 8 + 4!!
Luckily we notice that the polynomial we have is twice as big as it should be which leads
into the extra step that is required when the factor number is a fraction:
MAKE SURE TO MULTIPLY THE RESULTANT QUADRATIC BY THE FACTOR NUMBER TWICE!!
1 (2 2 8) = 2 4
2
Thus, finally we can factorise entirely:

2 3 2 8 + 4 = 0
(2 1)( 2 4) = 0
(2 1)( + 2)( 2) = 0
= 12 = 2 = 2

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