Obj.

5 Synthetic Division
Unit 2 Quadratic and Polynomial Functions

Concepts and Objectives

Synthetic Division (Obj. #5) Review performing synthetic division Evaluate polynomial functions using the remainder theorem

Quadratic Functions
A polynomial function of degree n, where n is a nonnegative integer, is a function defined by an expression of the form

f ( x ) = an x n + an1 x n1 + ... + a1 x + a0
A function f is a quadratic function if f ( x ) = ax 2 + bx + c where a, b, and c are real numbers, and a 0.

Dividing Polynomials
Let f(x) and g(x) be polynomials with g(x) of degree one or more, but of lower degree than f(x). There exist unique polynomials q(x) and r(x) such that f ( x ) = g( x ) i q( x ) + r ( x ) where either r(x) = 0 or the degree of r(x) is less than the degree of g(x).

Dividing Polynomials
3x 3 2x 2 150 For example, could be evaluated as 2 x 4
3x 2 x 2 4 3x 3 2x 2 + 0x 150 3x 3 + 0x 2 + 12x 2x 2 + 12x 150 2x 2 + 0 x 8
12x 158 12x 158 or 3x 2 + x2 4

Dividing Polynomials
Using the division algorithm, this means that
3x 3 2x 2 150 = x 2 4 (3x 2) + 12x 158
f (x)
Dividend

g( x )

q( x )

r(x)

= Divisor Quotient + Remainder

Synthetic Division
A shortcut method of performing long division with certain polynomials, called synthetic division, is used only when a polynomial is divided by a binomial of the form x k, where the coefficient of x is 1. To use synthetic division:
an x n + an1 x n1 + ... + a1 x + a0 = k an x k an1

... a1 a0

kan

an an1 + kan The answers are the coefficients of the quotient.

Synthetic Division
Example: Use synthetic division to divide

4 x 3 15x 2 + 11x 10 x 3
3 4 15 11 10 12 9 6

4
2

2 4

4 4 x 3x + 2 + x 3

Synthetic Division
Example: Use synthetic division to divide
x 4 + 5x 3 + 4 x 2 3x + 9 x +3 3 1 5 4 3 9 3 6 6 9

1 2 2 3 0
x 3 + 2x 2 2 x + 3

Remainder Theorem
The remainder theorem: If the polynomial f(x) is divided by x k, then the remainder is equal to f(k). Example: Let f ( x ) = x 4 + 3x 2 4 x 5 . Find f(3).

3 1 0 3 4 5 3 9 18 42
1 3 6 1447

f ( 3) = 47

Potential Zeros
A zero of a polynomial function f is a number k such that f(k) = 0. The real number zeros are the x-intercepts of the graph of the function. The remainder theorem gives us a quick way to decide if a number k is a zero of a polynomial function defined by f(x). Use synthetic division to find f(k) ; if the remainder is 0, then f(k) = 0 and k is a zero of f(x) .

Potential Zeros
Example: Decide whether the given number k is a zero of f(x):

f ( x ) = x 4 4 x 3 14 x 2 + 36 x + 45; k = 3
3 1 4 14 36 45 3 21 2145

1 7

7 15

Since the remainder is zero, 3 is a zero of the function.

Homework
Page 326: 5-50 (5), 54, 55
HW: 10, 30, 40, 50, 54