The Student Room Group

Can Anyone Help Me On Long Division of Polynomials?

I'm crap at this.

it's (x-1)/(x^3-4x^2-7x+10)

I'm doing the problem in order to factorise the expression since I know that x-1 is a factor but I'm ending up with a remainder and I can't remember what to do with it... I've got x^2-3x-4 with a remainder of 6.

Any ideas?
Original post by IPlayThePiccolo
I'm crap at this.

it's (x-1)/(x^3-4x^2-7x+10)

I'm doing the problem in order to factorise the expression since I know that x-1 is a factor but I'm ending up with a remainder and I can't remember what to do with it... I've got x^2-3x-4 with a remainder of 6.

Any ideas?


Try Solving it again . X^2-3X is right but you got the last value wrong.
Original post by Sykikdoc1993
Try Solving it again . X^2-3X is right but you got the last value wrong.


is it +4?
Original post by IPlayThePiccolo
is it +4?


Its -10 . When you do the second step in division be careful that its - so - and - make +. -1 times - 3x = 3x . so then you change the sign and that gives you (-7x-3x) -10x.

Hope that helps
Original post by Sykikdoc1993
Its -10 . When you do the second step in division be careful that its - so - and - make +. -1 times - 3x = 3x . so then you change the sign and that gives you (-7x-3x) -10x.

Hope that helps


thank you SO much for that
Original post by IPlayThePiccolo
thank you SO much for that


your welcome :biggrin:

Quick Reply

Latest