Educator

Dividing Polynomials

• To divide a polynomial by a monomial, divide each term of the polynomial by the monomial.

• To divide a trinomial by a binomial, try to factor the trinomial. If you can, then cancel any common binomial factors in the divisor and the dividend.

• If there is no common binomial factor, or if the degree of the dividend is greater than 2, then use long division.

• When dividing a polynomial by a binomial using long division, any terms missing in the dividend must be written explicitly, using a coefficient of 0.