What is the quotient of (3x4−13x3+7x2−x−9)÷(x2−4x+1)

1 answer

To find the quotient of the polynomial \(3x^4 - 13x^3 + 7x^2 - x - 9\) divided by \(x^2 - 4x + 1\), we can use polynomial long division.

  1. Setup the long division:

    • Divide \(3x^4\) by \(x^2\) to get \(3x^2\).
    • Multiply \(3x^2\) by \(x^2 - 4x + 1\): \[ 3x^2(x^2 - 4x + 1) = 3x^4 - 12x^3 + 3x^2 \]
    • Subtract this from the original polynomial: \[ (3x^4 - 13x^3 + 7x^2 - x - 9) - (3x^4 - 12x^3 + 3x^2) = -x^3 + 4x^2 - x - 9 \]
  2. Repeat the process:

    • Divide \(-x^3\) by \(x^2\) to get \(-x\).
    • Multiply \(-x\) by \(x^2 - 4x + 1\): \[ -x(x^2 - 4x + 1) = -x^3 + 4x^2 - x \]
    • Subtract: \[ (-x^3 + 4x^2 - x - 9) - (-x^3 + 4x^2 - x) = -9 \]
  3. Final step:

    • There are no more terms to bring down, and we have reached the end of the division process. The division leaves us with a remainder of \(-9\).

Putting it all together, we have: \[ \text{Quotient} = 3x^2 - x \quad \text{and} \quad \text{Remainder} = -9 \]

Thus, the result of the division is: \[ 3x^2 - x + \frac{-9}{x^2 - 4x + 1} \]

Final Answer: The quotient of \((3x^4 - 13x^3 + 7x^2 - x - 9)÷(x^2 - 4x + 1)\) is \(3x^2 - x\) with a remainder of \(-9\) (or \(3x^2 - x - \frac{9}{x^2 - 4x + 1}\)).