How do you divide (12x^3+2+11x+20x^2) / (2x+1)?

1 Answer
Apr 23, 2016

6x^2+7x+2

Explanation:

Rearrange the top expression to standard format

(12x^3+20x^2+11x+2)/(2x+1)

I prefer to set the question as long division. How many 2xs can you take from 12x^3? 12/2 = 6, x^3/x = x^2. So, 6x^2

Multiply the divisor 2x+1 by 6x^2 and subtract.
(2x+1)xx(6x^2)=(12x^3+6x^2)
(12x^3+20x^2+11x+2)-(12x^3+6x^2)=(14x^2+11x+2)

How many 2xs can you take from 14x^2? .....7x

Multiply the divisor 2x+1 by 7x and subtract.
(14x^2+11x+2)-(14x^2+7x)=(4x+2)

How many 2xs can you take from 4x?.....2

Multiply the divisor 2x+1 by 2 and subtract.
(4x+2)-(4x+2) = 0