SOLUTION: divide 20x^5-8x4-5x^3 by 4x^3 please explain in detail

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: divide 20x^5-8x4-5x^3 by 4x^3 please explain in detail      Log On


   

Question 3156: divide 20x^5-8x4-5x^3 by 4x^3

please explain in detail
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
this follows EXACTLY the same process as long division of numbers, eg divide 36 by 5.

First: how many times does 5 go into 36? Answer is 7. How do you know this? Because 7x5 is 35. Then subtract 35 from 36, leaving 1. That is one form of the answer...7 and one-fifth.

So same applies to your question %2820x%5E5-8x%5E4-5x%5E3%29%2F%284x%5E3%29. First, how many times does 4x%5E3 go into 20x%5E5? Answer is 5x%5E2 since %284x%5E3%29%2A%285x%5E2%29+=+20x%5E5.

What remainder is left now? There is -8x%5E4-5x%5E3 left. So we repeat...How many times does 4x%5E3 go into -8x%5E4-5x%5E3? Answer is -2x.

Repeat...how many times does 4x%5E3 go into -5x%5E3? Answer: -5/4

Answer: %2820x%5E5-8x%5E4-5x%5E3%29%2F%284x%5E3%29+=+5x%5E2+-+2x+-+%285%2F4%29

jon.