Algebra Examples

Use synthetic division to find the result when $x^{4} + 2 x^{3} + x^{2} - 8 x - 20$ is divided by $x - 2$

Step 1

Write the problem as a mathematical expression.

Use synthetic division to find the result when $\frac{x^{4} + 2 x^{3} + x^{2} - 8 x - 20}{x - 2}$

Step 2

Place the numbers representing the divisor and the dividend into a division-like configuration.

$2$	$1$	$2$	$1$	$- 8$	$- 20$

Step 3

The first number in the dividend $(1)$ is put into the first position of the result area (below the horizontal line).

Step 4

Multiply the newest entry in the result $(1)$ by the divisor $(2)$ and place the result of $(2)$ under the next term in the dividend $(2)$ .

Step 5

Add the product of the multiplication and the number from the dividend and put the result in the next position on the result line.

Step 6

Multiply the newest entry in the result $(4)$ by the divisor $(2)$ and place the result of $(8)$ under the next term in the dividend $(1)$ .

Step 7

Add the product of the multiplication and the number from the dividend and put the result in the next position on the result line.

Step 8

Multiply the newest entry in the result $(9)$ by the divisor $(2)$ and place the result of $(18)$ under the next term in the dividend $(- 8)$ .

Step 9

Add the product of the multiplication and the number from the dividend and put the result in the next position on the result line.

Step 10

Multiply the newest entry in the result $(10)$ by the divisor $(2)$ and place the result of $(20)$ under the next term in the dividend $(- 20)$ .

Step 11

Add the product of the multiplication and the number from the dividend and put the result in the next position on the result line.

Step 12

All numbers except the last become the coefficients of the quotient polynomial. The last value in the result line is the remainder.

$1 x^{3} + 4 x^{2} + (9) x + 10$

Step 13

Simplify the quotient polynomial.

$x^{3} + 4 x^{2} + 9 x + 10$