High School Math : How to divide polynomials in pre-algebra

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Math

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Polynomials In Pre Algebra

Simplify

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal:

becomes

Simplify the fraction by removing factors that are common to the numerator and the denominator to get

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Polynomials In Pre Algebra

What is ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dividing polynomials you subtract the power of the numerator by the power of the denominator.

The answer is the power of the simplified expression 

In this example our answer is .

 

Example Question #1 : How To Divide Polynomials In Pre Algebra

What is the quotient when is divided by ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

In order to simplify one must distribute the divisor  into every term of the equation .

Distribute.

Divide and simplify.

Example Question #3 : How To Divide Polynomials In Pre Algebra

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To divide monomials first you look at the coefficients  and  and perform division  .

To divide the exponents  and  you follow the laws of exponents so you subtract the exponents . That leaves the answer as .

Example Question #2 : How To Divide Polynomials In Pre Algebra

Simplify 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dividing polynomials you subtract the power of the numerator by the power of the denominator.

The answer is the power of the simplified expression in this case 

In this example our answer is .

Example Question #3 : How To Divide Polynomials In Pre Algebra

Simplify ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dividing polynomials you subtract the power of the numerator by the power of the denominator.

The answer is the power of the simplified expression 

In this example our answer is .

Example Question #5 : How To Divide Polynomials In Pre Algebra

Simplify the expression.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can re-write this expression as a fraction.

To simplify the variable, we subtract the exponent in the denominator from the exponent in the numerator.

Now we can simplify each term.

Example Question #4 : How To Divide Polynomials In Pre Algebra

Simplify .

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dividing monmials with the same base, you subtract the power of the numerator by the power of the denominator 

The answer, , is the power of the simplified expression.

In this example our answer is .

Example Question #7 : How To Divide Polynomials In Pre Algebra

Divide the quadratic expression.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can think of this expression in terms of the distributive property, allowing us to break it into individual terms.

Using this method, we can cancel the from each term to get our final answer.

Example Question #5 : How To Divide Polynomials In Pre Algebra

Simplify

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dividing like-termed variables,  you subtract the power of the numerator by the power of the denominator.

The power of the simplified expression will be

In this example our answer is .

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors