SOLUTION: How is dividing a polynomial by a binomial similar to or different from the long division you learned in elementary school?

Algebra ->  Functions -> SOLUTION: How is dividing a polynomial by a binomial similar to or different from the long division you learned in elementary school?       Log On


   

Question 181426: How is dividing a polynomial by a binomial similar to or different
from the long division you learned in elementary school?
Answer by Mathtut(3670) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Polynomial division is actually quite similar to the method of long division that I was taught back in elementary school. Instead of simply using numbers as we did back then, there are variables to deal with as well. However, the process is effectively the same. We go through the problem term by term, just like in numerical long division.
If you understand how to do the numerical type of long division, it is quite easy to extend the technique to the polynomial division. As long as you know how to multiply monomial terms with variables (equivalent to multiplication of numbers in the long division process), and subtraction of terms (equivalent to the subtraction in numerical long division), the actual process is the same.