use long division to divide the polynomials 4x^3-21x^2+27x over x-3

1 answer

To divide the polynomial \( 4x^3 - 21x^2 + 27x \) by \( x - 3 \) using long division, follow these steps:

  1. Set up the division: Write \( 4x^3 - 21x^2 + 27x \) under the long division symbol and \( x - 3 \) on the outside.

            __________________________
    x - 3 | 4x^3 - 21x^2 + 27x
    
  2. Divide the first term: Divide the leading term of the dividend \( 4x^3 \) by the leading term of the divisor \( x \):

    \[ \frac{4x^3}{x} = 4x^2 \]

  3. Multiply and subtract: Multiply the entire divisor \( x - 3 \) by \( 4x^2 \), and write the result underneath the dividend:

    \[ 4x^2(x - 3) = 4x^3 - 12x^2 \]

    Now perform the subtraction:

    \[ (4x^3 - 21x^2) - (4x^3 - 12x^2) = -21x^2 + 12x^2 = -9x^2 \]

    Bring down the next term \( +27x \):

            4x^2
            __________________________
    x - 3 | 4x^3 - 21x^2 + 27x
            | -(4x^3 - 12x^2)
            ----------------------
                     -9x^2 + 27x
    
  4. Repeat the process: Now divide the first term of the new polynomial \( -9x^2 \) by \( x \):

    \[ \frac{-9x^2}{x} = -9x \]

    Multiply the divisor \( x - 3 \) by \( -9x \):

    \[ -9x(x - 3) = -9x^2 + 27x \]

    Perform the subtraction:

    \[ (-9x^2 + 27x) - (-9x^2 + 27x) = 0 \]

    So we have:

            4x^2 - 9x
            __________________________
    x - 3 | 4x^3 - 21x^2 + 27x
            | -(4x^3 - 12x^2)
            | ----------------------
                      -9x^2 + 27x
            | -(-9x^2 + 27x)
            | ----------------------
                           0
    
  5. Result: Since there is no remainder, the division is complete. The quotient is:

\[ \boxed{4x^2 - 9x} \]

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