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Dividng a Polynomial by a Monomial

When dividing a polynomial by a monomial, we divide the coefficients and divide the variables separately.

Dividing a monomial by a monomial

Simplify the following:
a) 8x22x\dfrac{8x^2}{-2x}

=82x2x=\dfrac{8}{-2}\dfrac{x^2}{x}

=4x=-4x

b) 12x2y39x2y\dfrac{-12x^2y^3}{-9x^2y}

=129x2x2y3y=\dfrac{-12}{-9}\dfrac{x^2}{x^2}\dfrac{y^3}{y}

=43y2=\dfrac{4}{3}y^2

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Dividing a polynomial by a monomial

Simplify the following:

a) 6x215x3x\dfrac{6x^2-15x}{3x}

=6x23x+15x3x=\dfrac{6x^2}{3x}+\dfrac{-15x}{3x}

=2x5=2x-5

b) (16y8y2)÷6y(16y-8y^2)\div6y

=16y8y26y=\dfrac{16y-8y^2}{6y}

=16y6y+8y26y=\dfrac{16y}{6y}+\dfrac{-8y^2}{6y}

=834y3=\dfrac{8}{3}-\dfrac{4y}{3}

Practice: Dividing a Polynomial by a Monomial.

Simplify 4x2+22x2x\dfrac{-4x^2+22x}{-2x}.

Practice: Dividing a Polynomial by a Monomial

A rectangle has area 25b15b2+5ab325b-15b^2+5ab^3. If one of the side lengths is 5b5b, find an expression that represents the other side length.