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Last updated on October 4, 2025
The result we get when we divide one polynomial by another polynomial is called the quotient. The quotient can be a polynomial of a lower degree, depending on the polynomials involved. We will learn how to find the quotient of (x³ – 3x² + 5x – 3) ÷ (x – 1) below.
To find the quotient of (x³ – 3x² + 5x – 3) ÷ (x – 1), we can use polynomial long division. Follow these steps to simplify the division process:
Step 1: Write down the dividend (x³ – 3x² + 5x – 3) and the divisor (x – 1).
Step 2: Divide the first term of the dividend by the first term of the divisor: x³ ÷ x = x².
Step 3: Multiply the entire divisor (x – 1) by x² and subtract the result from the dividend: (x³ – 3x² + 5x – 3) - (x²(x – 1)) = (x³ – 3x² + 5x – 3) - (x³ – x²) = -2x² + 5x – 3.
Step 4: Repeat the process with the new polynomial: -2x² ÷ x = -2x. Multiply and subtract: (-2x² + 5x – 3) - (-2x(x – 1)) = (-2x² + 5x – 3) - (-2x² + 2x) = 3x – 3.
Step 5: Repeat again: 3x ÷ x = 3. Multiply and subtract: (3x – 3) - (3(x – 1)) = (3x – 3) - (3x – 3) = 0. The division is complete, with a quotient of x² – 2x + 3.
Jaskaran Singh Saluja is a math wizard with nearly three years of experience as a math teacher. His expertise is in algebra, so he can make algebra classes interesting by turning tricky equations into simple puzzles.
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