Question

How do you divide `(8x^2-10x-7)/(4x+1)`?

Answer 1

`(8x^2 - 10x - 7)/(4x+1) = 2x - 3 - 4/(4x+1)`

Explanation:

This is very hard to format on here so I'm going to assume you sort of know how to do polynomial long division and just walk you through the steps. I can hand write it and scan it in if you need more help visualising what I'm on about.

Dividing 4x into first term gives 2x.

Multiply `4x+1` by the `2x` and subtract, giving:

`8x^2 - 10x - 7`
`- [8x^2 + 2x]`

`= -12x - 7`

Dividing in again gives -3. Multiply by -3 and subtract:

`-12x-7`
`- [-12x - 3]`

`= -4` which is our remainder.

`(8x^2 - 10x - 7)/(4x+1) = 2x - 3 - 4/(4x+1)`