Just as for numbers there is division with remainder, polynomials too can be divided.

Definition — Division between polynomials

Given two polynomials A(x)A(x) (dividend) and B(x)B(x) (divisor) with degBdegA\deg B \le \deg A, there exist unique Q(x)Q(x) (quotient) and R(x)R(x) (remainder) such that: A(x)=B(x)Q(x)+R(x),degR<degB.A(x) = B(x)\cdot Q(x) + R(x), \qquad \deg R < \deg B.

Example

x32x2+x1x3=x2+x+4+11x3\frac{x^3-2x^2+x-1}{x-3} = x^2+x+4 + \frac{11}{x-3} Check: (x2+x+4)(x3)=x33x2+x23x+4x12=x32x2+x12(x^2+x+4)(x-3) = x^3-3x^2+x^2-3x+4x-12 = x^3-2x^2+x-12, and 12+11=1-12+11=-1. ✓

Topics: Algebraic calculation
Concepts: Division between polynomials
Skills: Calculating