Module 2

Polynomials and
Polynomial
Equations
2.1 Synthetic
Division
 Objectives

1.Define polynomials.
2.Divide a polynomial by a binomial using
long division and synthetic division.
3.Solve word problems using synthetic
division.
Activity

Is it a Polynomial ?
Expression Yes/No Reason
1. 4x2y + 8xy + 5
2. 5d2 + 11d – 9

4. 7
5. x3

6.
8–5
Activity

Is it a Polynomial ?
Expression Yes/No Reason
1. 4x2y + 8xy + 5 Yes w/ positive exponent
2. 5d2 + 11d – 9 Yes w/ positive exponent
3. No the variable is in
the
denominator
4. 7 Yes constant term
5. x3 Yes

6.
8–5 No the variable is inside
Analysis

Guide Questions:
1. How did you determine the examples and non
– examples of a polynomial ?

2. How does the polynomial differ from other

algebraic expressions ?

3. What makes an expression a polynomial ?

Analysis

Algebraic Expression – is an expression which

comprises of variables and constants along with
algebraic operations.
3x + 2 7+y x –y
4a 5ab
Polynomial - is an expression of the form
anxn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 + … + a1x + a0, an ≠ 0
where the nonnegative integer n is called the
degree of the polynomial and coefficients a0, a1,…
an are real numbers.
Analysis

Characterestics of Polynomials
- no negative exponents
- no fractional exponent
- no variables in the denominator
Take Note

A polynomial expression P(x) is an expression

of the form
anxn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 + … + a1x + a0, an ≠ 0
where the nonnegative integer n is called the
degree of the polynomial and coefficients a0, a1,…
an are real numbers.
The polynomial, P(x) = 3x + 4 is of degree 1.
P(x) = 4x2 + 15x + 10 is of degree 2.
Degree of a polynomial – the highest degree of a
term in a polynomial
Leading term – term with the highest exponent
Leading Coefficient – the coefficient of the
leading term

4x2 + 15x + 10
degree - 2
leading term - 4x2
leading coefficient - 4
 Long Division
If the divisor has more than one term, perform long division. You do the
same steps with polynomial division as with integers. Let's do two
problems, one with integers you know how to do and one with polynomials
and copy the steps.
28
21 Subtract
Now (which
multiply by x + 11 
changes the sign x 3
Bring down
theMultiply
divisor and the
andput x - 3 x2 + 8x - 5
32 698 of each
next term
number in
or
the answer
put below.
below Remainder
64 the polynomial)
term
subtract x 2
– 3x
58 3 into 6 added here
First divide or x into x2 11x - 5
32 over divisor
Now divide 3 into 5 This or is the x into 11x 11x - 33
26
remainder 28

So we found the answer to the problem x2 + 8x – 5  x – 3

or the problem written another way: x 2  8 x  5
x 3
 Let's Try Another One

If any powers of terms are missing you should write them in with
zeros in front to keep all of your columns straight.
12
Subtract
Write out (which
with y - 2  y 2
2
changes
Multiply
Bring
Multiply
long downtheandsign
and
divisionthe
y 8 Divide
Divide
of
nexteach
put
put
term yy into
term
below
below
including
into y
in-2y
0y for
2 y + 2 y 2
+ 0y + 8
Remainder
the polynomial)
subtract term y 2
+ 2y
y 2 missing added here
-2y + 8 over divisor
- 2y - 4
This is the
remainder 12
 Synthetic Division
There is a shortcut for long division as long as the divisor is x – k
where k is some number. (Can't have any powers on x).
Set divisor = 0 and 3 2
solve. Put answer
1 x  6 x  8x  2
here. x 3 x + 3 = 0 so x = - 3
-3 1 6 8 -2
Multiply
Multiply
- 3 firstAdd
Bring - 9theseAdd
number up3these
down below
Addupthese
line up
these
these and
and
put answer
put answer
1 x 2
+ 3 x - 1 1 This is the remainder
above
above line
line Put variables back in (one x was divided out in
So the
in Listanswer
all coefficients
is: (numbers in front of x's) and the
in next 1
next process so first number is one less power than
2 top. If a term is missing, put in a 0.
column
x  3x  1 
constant along the
column original problem).
x 3
 Let's try another Synthetic Division

0 x3 0x
Set divisor = 0 and 4 2
solve. Put answer
1 x  4x  6
here. x 4 x - 4 = 0 so x = 4
4 1 0 -4 0 6
Multiply
Multiply
4 firstAdd
Bring 16theseAdd
number up48
downthese192
below
Addupthese
line
Add
up these up
Multiply
these
these and
and This is the
these
put and
answer
put answer
1 x 3
+ 4 x 2
+ 12 x + 48 198
put answer
above line remainder
above line Now put variables back in (remember one x was
above
in lineanswer
Sonext
the
List all coefficients
is: 198
(numbers in front of x's) and the
in next divided out 3in process2so first number is one less
in next x  4 x  12 x  48 
constant along the top. Don't forget the 0's for missing
column
column power than original problem so x3).
column
terms. x 4
 Let's try a problem where we factor the polynomial
completely given one of its factors.
3 2
4 x  8 x  25 x  50 factor : x  2
You want to divide
the factor into the
polynomial so set
divisor = 0 and solve
-2 4 8 -25 -50 for first number.
Multiply
Multiply
- 8 firstAdd
Bring 0theseAdd
number up
50these
down below
Addupthese
line up
these
these and
and No remainder so x + 2
put answer
put answer
4 x 2
+ 0 x - 25 0 IS a factor because it
above
above line
line Put variables back in (one x was divideddivided in evenly
So the
in Listanswer
all coefficients
is the divisor
(numbers
times in
thefront
quotient: out in
of x's) and the
in next
next
x  24 x 
process
You could
constant
column sothe
check
along first
this number is one
byIf a term
top. less power
is missing, putthan
in 2a 0.
column original
multiplying problem).
them out and  25
getting original polynomial
(x3 + 6x2 + 8x - 2) / x + 3
-3 / 1 6 8 -2
-3 -9 3
1 3 -1 1

x2+3x-1 + 1 / x + 3
Find by Synthetic Division the Quotient and
the Remainder when P(x) is Divided by (x - c)
Synthetic Division is another method of dividing
polynomials which has a very short and simple
procedure.
Steps to follow in dividing by synthetic
division:
1.Arrange the terms of the dividend in
descending order of exponent.
2.Write the numerical coefficient in a row, with
0 representing any missing term.
3.Write the constant term c of the divisor x - c
at the left hand side of the coefficient.
4.Bring down the leading coefficient of the
dividend. Multiply it by c and add to the
second column.
5.Multiply the sum obtained in step 4 by c and
add to the 3rd column. Repeat this process
until you reach the last column.
6.The 3rd rows of numbers are numerical
coefficient of the quotient. The degree is one
less than that of the dividend. The right
member is the remainder.
REAL-LIFE APPLICATION

Ambet travelled a distance of 6x2 -13x – 5

kilometers at a rate of 3x + 1 kph. Write a
polynomial that represents the number of hours
traveled. D = r t
t = D/r
=

=
= 2x - 5 hrs.
REAL-LIFE APPLICATION
If one ream of bond paper costs (3x – 4)
pesos, how many reams can you buy for
(6x4 – 17x3 + 24x2 – 34x + 24) pesos ?
4/3 / 6 -17 24 -34 24
8 -12 16 -24
6 -9 12 -18 0

6x3-9x2+12x-18 reams
or 2x3-3x2+4x-6 reams
APPLICATION

Ref: E – Math p. 79
Practice and Application
I. 1 -10
II. 11 – 18
p. 88
Practice and Application
III. 1 – 2
#1 (long division and synthetic division)
#2 (synthetic division)