Question

Divide 8x² - 6x - 20 by x – 2. Find the quotient and remainder. 

	A.	8x – 10; 0
	B.	8x + 10; 0
	C.	8x – 6; 3
	D.	8x – 3; –3

 

Answer 1

Use synthetic division to find .

The dividend is 8x² - 6x - 20, and the root is 2.

Step 1 : Write the terms of the dividend so that the degrees of the terms are in descending order. Then write just the coefficients as shown below.

Step 2 : Write the constant r of the divisor (x - r) to the left. In this case, r = 2. Bring the first coefficient, 8, down.

Step 3 : Multiply the first coefficient by r : (2)(8) = 16. Write the product under the second coefficient, - 6. Then add the product and the second coefficient, - 6 : - 6 + 16 = 10.

Step 4 : Multiply the sum, 10, by r : (2)(10) = 20.

Write the product under the next coefficient, - 20 and add : - 20 + 20 = 0. The remainder is 0.

The numbers along the bottom row are the coefficients of the quotient. Start with the power of x that is one less than the degree of the dividend. Thus, the quotient is 8x + 10.

.

The option B is correct.