The quotient law of exponents i.e.
finds great use in the division of algebraic expressions.
Quotient of two monomials = (Quotient of their numerical coefficients)
(Quotient of their variable parts)
Q1. 24a 2 bc 3 by – 6abc 2 (ii) – 56 xyz 3 by – 6x 3 y 4 z
Sol.
(i) 24a
2
bc
3
÷
(-6abc
2
) =
.
(ii) (-56 xyz
3
)
÷
(-6x
3
y
4
z) =
.
For dividing a polynomial by a monomial, we divide each term of the polynomial be the monomial.
Question (i) 4x 5 – 14x 4 + 6x 3 – 2x 2 by 2x 2 (ii) 20x 3 y + 10xy 2 – 15x 2 y by 5xy
Sol. We have :
(i) (4x 5 – 14x 4 + 6x 3 – 2x 2 ) ÷ 5x 2
=
.
(ii) (20x 3 y + 10xy 2 – 15x 2 y) ÷ 5xy
Fundamentals propositions
If a b = c, then
Division of a monomial by a monomial
Quotient can be found by subtracting smaller power of a letter from greater power of the same letter.
E.g.: 16a 5 b 4 8a 2 b 3
To divide a multinomial by a monomial we have to divide each term of the dividend and take the sum of those partial quotients for the complete quotient
Ex: Divide 18x 8 + 24x 6 + 12x 4 6x 2
= 3x 6 + 4x 4 + 2x 2
e.g.: x 4 – 4x 2 + 12x – 9 x 2 – 2x + 3
Divided = x 4 – 4x 2 + 12x – 9
Divisor = x 2 – 2x + 3
Quotient = x 2 + 2x – 3
Remainder = 0
You will observe that
Dividend = Divisor × Quotient + Remainder
Q1. Divide x + 6x 2 – 15 by 2x – 3.
Ans. Arranging the terms of the dividend and the divisor in descending order of powers of x and then dividing, we get:
2x – 3 6x 2 + x – 15 3x + 5
6x 2 – 9x
10x – 15
10x – 15
0
(6x 2 + x - 15) ÷ (2x – 3) = (3x + 5).
Q2. Find the quotient and remainder when (x 5 + 3x 4 – 5x 3 + 14x 2 + 36x - 13) is divided by (x 2 + 4x – 2).
Ans. On dividing, we get :
x 2 + 4x – 2 x 5 + 3x 4 – 5x 3 + 14x 2 + 36 x – 13 x 3 – x 2 + x + 8
x 5 + 4x 4 – 2x 3
-x 4 – 3x + 14x 2 + 36x - 13
-x 4 – 4x 3 + 2x 2
x 3 + 12x 2 + 36x – 13
x 3 + 4x 2 – 2x
8x 2 + 38x – 13
8x 2 + 32x – 16
6x + 3
Quotient = x 3 – x 2 + x + 8, Remainder = 6x + 3.
An identity is an equality which is true for all values of the variable(s).
Standard identities
General expressed in symbols is called a formula. Some of the formulae are listed below.