How Does Polynomial Long Division Work?

How Does Polynomial Long Division Work?
$\begingroup$

I get normal long division but this doesn't make sense. How can doing it by only dividing by the leading term work? The problem is $$\dfrac{3x^3 - 2x^2 + 4x - 3 } {x^2 + 3x + 3},$$ not $$\dfrac{3x^3 - 2x^2 + 4x - 3} {x^2}.$$

$\endgroup$
5

2 Answers

$\begingroup$

As said, "it works the same way as euclidean division works for integers" (quoting Bernard). So, if you take $$A=\dfrac{3x^3 - 2x^2 + 4x - 3 } {x^2 + 3x + 3}$$ The division of $3x^3$ by $x^2$ (the highest terms) gives $3x$. So $$A=3x+\Big(\dfrac{3x^3 - 2x^2 + 4x - 3 } {x^2 + 3x + 3}-3x\Big)=3x -\frac{11 x^2+5x+3}{x^2 + 3x + 3}=3x-B$$ Now, consider $$B=\frac{11 x^2+5x+3}{x^2 + 3x + 3}$$ The division of $11x^2$ by $x^2$ (the highest terms) gives $11$. So $$B=\frac{11 x^2+5x+3}{x^2 + 3x + 3}=11+\Big(\frac{11 x^2+5x+3}{x^2 + 3x + 3}-11\Big)=11-\frac{28 x+30}{x^2 + 3x + 3}=11-C$$ Now, the highest degree in the numerator of $C$ is smaller that the highest degree in its denominator so you stop and have the remainder. So, by the end $$A=\dfrac{3x^3 - 2x^2 + 4x - 3 } {x^2 + 3x + 3}=3x-11-\frac{28 x+30}{x^2 + 3x + 3}$$

$\endgroup$
$\begingroup$

Some trick on how to do this quickly: $3x^3 - 2x^2 + 4x - 3 = 3x(x^2+3x+3) - 11x^2 - 5x - 3 = 3x(x^2+3x+3) - 11(x^2+3x+3) + 28x + 30 = (3x-11)(x^2+3x+3) + 28x+30$.

$\endgroup$
1

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Robert Thorne
Author

Robert Thorne

Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.