Dividing using Generic Rectangles
There is a third way to divide polynomial using generic rectangles like we did with multiplication.
Example:
\(\dfrac{x^4-6x^3+18x-1}{x-2}\)
To use generic rectangles for division of polynomials, follow these steps:
- Place the terms of the divisor on the outside or the rectangle.
- Place the first term of the dividend in the top left hand box. Divide the first term of the divisor into the first term of the dividend.
- Place the quotient on top of the first column. Multiply it by the remainder of the terms in the divisor and place those products in the first column.
- Each of the products is subtracted from the next term in the dividend. In other words, the diagonals should add to the successive terms in the dividend.
- Any number left in the final column is a remainder.
Examples of polynomial division with a divisor of three terms can be found on the link below.
Dividing Polynomials – The Grid Method | Mathrecreation
