# [SOLVED] Find the quotient and remainder in the division of polynomials.

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• March 7th 2009, 07:50 PM
driverfan2008
[SOLVED] Find the quotient and remainder in the division of polynomials.
It asks,
for the following find polynomials q(x) and r(x) such that b(x) = q(x)a(x) + r(x) where r(x) =0 or deg r(x) < reg a(x),
$1. a(x) = x^2-2x+4, b(x)=2^5-x^4+3x^3-2x+1$

What is it asking me to do? Does it want me to divide a(x) into b(x)? But then where do I get q(x) and r(x) from?

I know how to do polynomials but I just don't understand what this question is asking me to do? (Worried)
• March 7th 2009, 08:02 PM
Jhevon
Quote:

Originally Posted by driverfan2008
It asks,
for the following find polynomials q(x) and r(x) such that b(x) = q(x)a(x) + r(x) where r(x) =0 or deg r(x) < reg a(x),
$1. a(x) = x^2-2x+4, b(x)=2^5-x^4+3x^3-2x+1$

What is it asking me to do? Does it want me to divide a(x) into b(x)?

yes

Quote:

But then where do I get q(x) and r(x) from?
q(x) is the quotient of the said division, r(x) is the remainder
• March 7th 2009, 08:04 PM
Reckoner
Quote:

Originally Posted by driverfan2008
It asks,
for the following find polynomials q(x) and r(x) such that b(x) = q(x)a(x) + r(x) where r(x) =0 or deg r(x) < reg a(x),
$1. a(x) = x^2-2x+4, b(x)=2^5-x^4+3x^3-2x+1$

What is it asking me to do? Does it want me to divide a(x) into b(x)? But then where do I get q(x) and r(x) from?

I know how to do polynomials but I just don't understand what this question is asking me to do? (Worried)

If you divide $b(x)$ by $a(x),$ you will get a quotient and a remainder, both polynomials. Multiplying the divisor $a(x)$ by the quotient and adding the remainder should give the original dividend $b(x),$ and the provided equation has this form. Thus, $q(x)$ is the quotient and $r(x)$ the remainder when dividing $b(x)$ by $a(x).$
• March 7th 2009, 08:09 PM
driverfan2008
Thanks very much Jhevon and Reckoner I understand now (Happy)