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Ch. 3 - Polynomial and Rational Functions
Lial - College Algebra 13th Edition
Lial13th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136881063Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksLial 13th EditionCh. 3 - Polynomial and Rational FunctionsProblem 21
Chapter 4, Problem 21

Use synthetic division to perform each division. (x3 - 1) / (x-1)

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1
Identify the divisor and the dividend. The dividend is \(x^3 - 1\) and the divisor is \(x - 1\).
Set up synthetic division by writing the coefficients of the dividend. For \(x^3 - 1\), the coefficients are \(1\) (for \(x^3\)), \(0\) (for \(x^2\)), \(0\) (for \(x\)), and \(-1\) (constant term).
Determine the value to use in synthetic division from the divisor \(x - 1\). Since the divisor is \(x - 1\), use \(1\) (the root of \(x - 1 = 0\)) for synthetic division.
Perform synthetic division: bring down the first coefficient, multiply it by \(1\), add to the next coefficient, and repeat this process across all coefficients.
Write the result of synthetic division as the quotient polynomial with one degree less than the dividend, and identify the remainder if any.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Synthetic Division

Synthetic division is a shortcut method for dividing a polynomial by a linear binomial of the form x - c. It simplifies the long division process by using only the coefficients of the polynomial, making calculations faster and less error-prone.
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Polynomial Division

Polynomial division involves dividing one polynomial by another, similar to numerical division. Understanding how to divide polynomials helps in simplifying expressions, finding factors, and solving polynomial equations.
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Remainder Theorem

The Remainder Theorem states that when a polynomial f(x) is divided by x - c, the remainder is f(c). This concept helps verify the result of synthetic division and understand the relationship between division and function evaluation.
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Related Practice
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Write each formula as an English phrase using the word varies or proportional. C=2πr, where C is the circumference of a circle of radius r.

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If ƒ(x) is a polynomial function with real coefficients, and if 7+2i is a zero of the function, then what other complex number must also be a zero?

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Solve each quadratic inequality. Give the solution set in interval notation. 2x2 + 5 ≤ 11x

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Use an end behavior diagram, as shown below, to describe the end behavior of the graph of each polynomial function. ƒ(x)=5x5+2x3-3x+4

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Use synthetic division to perform each division. x4-1 / x-1

Textbook Question

Graph the following on the same coordinate system.

(a) y = (x - 2)2

(b) y = (x + 1)2

(c) y = (x + 3)2

(d) How do these graphs differ from the graph of y = x2?