Question

(x^2-2x-48) divided by (x+5)

Answer 1

Did you know you could do this division using the approach "synthetic division?"

The coefficients of the dividend x^2 - 2x - 48 are 1, -2 and -48.  The divisor x+5 yields the divisor -5 for use in synthetic division.  Proceeding with the synthetic div.:

      --------------------

-5  /    1    -2    -48

                -5    35

     ----------------------

          1      -7    -13

Thus, the quotient is 1x - 7 with a remainder of -13.  This also means that if we substitute -5 for x in the original function, the result will be -13.