Question

What is the quotient (x^3+8)/(x+2)

Answer 1

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

The easiest way to do this is by using synthetic division (I really hope you know what I'm talking about!)

If the factor is x + 2 = 0, then the solution or the root is x = -2.  We will put -2 outside the "box" and the coefficients from the terms of the polynomial inside the "box":

-2|   1    0    0    8

Bring down the first number and multiply it by the -2.  Put the product up under the first 0 and add:

-2|   1    0    0    8

           -2

      1   -2  

Now multiply the -2 by the -2, put the product up under the next 0 and add:

-2|   1    0    0    8

           -2    4

      1    -2    4

Now multiply the 4 by the -2, put the product up under the 8 and add:

-2|   1    0    0    8

           -2   4    -8

     1    -2   4    0

Those bold numbers are the coefficients to the quotient, which is another polynomial, but is one degree less than the one you started with:

x² - 2x + 4 = 0

Since there is no remainder, then x = -2 is a zero of x³ + 8, and (x + 2) is a factor.

There is a whole world of stuff to learn about quadratics!!