Long division polynomial?

Question

how do you divide x^2/2x + 4 ?
can you explain step by step.

Answer 1

½x - 1 R 4

Set it up like the long division you learned for numbers with x^2 + 0x + 0 under the division bar. Then put whatever you have to multiply the "2x" in 2x + 4 by to get 1x^2: ½x. Do the multiplication placing terms under the x^2... in their proper places: you then have (x^2 + 0x) - (x^2 + 2x) = -2x. Put the "-2x" under the x column and then put above the 0 the number you have to multiply the "2x" in 2x + 4 by to get -2x: -1. Do the multiplication and subtraction: you get 4. You stop when you reach the x^0 term (4x^0 = 4). Anything left (number only) is the remainder. So your answer is: ½x - 1 R 4.