Which synthetic division shows how to find the quotient? x5−4x3+2x+6÷x+2 (1 point)

1 answer

To perform synthetic division for the polynomial \( x^5 - 4x^3 + 2x + 6 \) divided by \( x + 2 \), we need to use the root of the divisor \( x + 2 \). The root is \( -2 \).

Here are the steps for synthetic division:

  1. Set Up: Write down the coefficients of the polynomial. For \( x^5 - 4x^3 + 2x + 6 \), the coefficients are:

    • For \( x^5 \): 1
    • For \( x^4 \): 0 (since there is no \( x^4 \) term)
    • For \( x^3 \): -4
    • For \( x^2 \): 0 (since there is no \( x^2 \) term)
    • For \( x^1 \): 2
    • For the constant term: 6

    So the coefficients are \( [1, 0, -4, 0, 2, 6] \).

  2. Synthetic Division Process:

    • Write down -2 (the value of the root).
    • Bring down the leading coefficient (1).
-2 |  1   0   -4   0   2   6
     | 
     | 
     |___________________
       1
  • Multiply -2 by 1 (the number brought down) to get -2, and write it under the next coefficient.
-2 |  1   0   -4   0   2   6
     |     -2
     |___________________
       1  -2
  • Now add down the column: \( 0 + (-2) = -2 \).
-2 |  1   0   -4   0   2   6
     |     -2   4
     |___________________
       1  -2   0
  • Repeat this process: Multiply -2 by -2 to get 4, write it under the next coefficient, and add down.
-2 |  1   0   -4   0   2   6
     |     -2   4   0
     |___________________
       1  -2   0   2
  • Next, multiply -2 by 0 to get 0 and add to the next coefficient.
-2 |  1   0   -4   0   2   6
     |     -2   4   0   -4
     |___________________
       1  -2   0   2   -4
  • Finally, multiply -2 by 2 to get -4 and add to the last coefficient.
-2 |  1   0   -4   0   2   6
     |     -2   4   0   -4
     |___________________
       1  -2   0   2   0
  1. Result: The bottom row gives us the coefficients of the quotient polynomial and the remainder.

The result is:

  • Quotient: \( 1x^4 - 2x^3 + 0x^2 + 2x + 0 \) or simplified: \( x^4 - 2x^3 + 2x \)
  • Remainder: 0

So, the final answer to \( x^5 - 4x^3 + 2x + 6 \) divided by \( x + 2 \) is:

\[ \boxed{x^4 - 2x^3 + 2x} \] (with a remainder of \( 0 \)).