SOLUTION: Find the quotient and the remainder (x^4-2x^2+3)/(x+1)

Algebra ->  Graphs -> SOLUTION: Find the quotient and the remainder (x^4-2x^2+3)/(x+1)       Log On


   



Question 149488: Find the quotient and the remainder

(x^4-2x^2+3)/(x+1)

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let's simplify this expression using synthetic division


Start with the given expression %28x%5E4+-+2x%5E2+%2B+3%29%2F%28x%2B1%29

First lets find our test zero:

x%2B1=0 Set the denominator x%2B1 equal to zero

x=-1 Solve for x.

so our test zero is -1


Now set up the synthetic division table by placing the test zero in the upper left corner and placing the coefficients of the numerator to the right of the test zero.(note: remember if a polynomial goes from 1x%5E4 to -2x%5E2 there is a zero coefficient for x%5E3. This is simply because x%5E4+-+2x%5E2+%2B+3 really looks like 1x%5E4%2B0x%5E3%2B-2x%5E2%2B0x%5E1%2B3x%5E0
-1|10-203
|

Start by bringing down the leading coefficient (it is the coefficient with the highest exponent which is 1)
-1|10-203
|
1

Multiply -1 by 1 and place the product (which is -1) right underneath the second coefficient (which is 0)
-1|10-203
|-1
1

Add -1 and 0 to get -1. Place the sum right underneath -1.
-1|10-203
|-1
1-1

Multiply -1 by -1 and place the product (which is 1) right underneath the third coefficient (which is -2)
-1|10-203
|-11
1-1

Add 1 and -2 to get -1. Place the sum right underneath 1.
-1|10-203
|-11
1-1-1

Multiply -1 by -1 and place the product (which is 1) right underneath the fourth coefficient (which is 0)
-1|10-203
|-111
1-1-1

Add 1 and 0 to get 1. Place the sum right underneath 1.
-1|10-203
|-111
1-1-11

Multiply -1 by 1 and place the product (which is -1) right underneath the fifth coefficient (which is 3)
-1|10-203
|-111-1
1-1-11

Add -1 and 3 to get 2. Place the sum right underneath -1.
-1|10-203
|-111-1
1-1-112

Since the last column adds to 2, we have a remainder of 2. This means x%2B1 is not a factor of x%5E4+-+2x%5E2+%2B+3
Now lets look at the bottom row of coefficients:

The first 4 coefficients (1,-1,-1,1) form the quotient

x%5E3+-+x%5E2+-+x+%2B+1


So the quotient is x%5E3-x%5E2-x%2B1 and the remainder is 2