Polynomial division

Polynomial division is where we take a polynomial (an expression made up of only positive whole number powers of x) and divide it by another polynomial.

For example: \frac{x^2 - 5x + 6}{x - 2}.

The grid method

Just like how we can use the grid method to multiply polynomials (also known as ‘expanding brackets’), we can also use it to divide polynomials.

Example: Divide x^2 - 5x + 6 by x - 2 using the grid method

• Add the thing we are dividing by (x - 2) to the left side of the grid.

We know that we must have an x^2 term in the top-left of the main grid area (as there will only be one multiplication which makes a term with an x^2 in it).
We also know that we have a 6 in the bottom-right of the main grid area (as there will only be one multiplication which makes a term without an x in it).

Next, we can fill in the rest of the grid by looking at what terms we need to make.

TODO: complete this example

flashcards