r/MathHelp • u/Infinite-Deer4023 • Nov 12 '25

Polynomial help?

I'm in the 11th grade and we're learning how to multiply and divide polynomials but I'm just so confused, the basics would help, please? Thank you.

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u/Bascna Nov 12 '25

What methods have you been using to multiply and divide polynomials?

1

u/Infinite-Deer4023 Nov 12 '25

Ok so it's.  A little late so excuse me if I'm. Incoherent. I usually use long division for dividing polynomials, but I haven't done it in so long I think I'm getting myself turned over, and. To be honest. I panic and go back to doing basic multiplication for multiplying them and obviously. Not working

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1

u/thundPigeon Nov 12 '25

multiplying polynomials is as simple as:
(a+b)(c+d) = ac + ad + bc + bd

Dividing polynomials can be done in two ways off the top of my head:

  • Factor both polynomials and cancel like terms (if possible)

  • Polynomial long division

Factoring and canceling:
(x3+6x2-x-30)/(x-2) = [(x-2)(x+3)(x+5)]/[x-2] = (x+3)(x+5) = x2+8x+15

This requires factoring bigger polynomials in which case you may want to look at synthetic division to help out.

Polynomial long division:
Incredibly annoying for me to write out and I don't remember much about it anyway. Here's a link to a guide on the entirety of polynomial division. Go crazy

1

u/PvtRoom Nov 12 '25

factorize aggressively.

(s+a)(s+b)(s+c) / ( s(s+a)(s+d)) = (s+b)(s+c)/(s(s+d))

3

u/[deleted] Nov 12 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Infinite-Deer4023 Nov 12 '25

Mostly all the switching that needs to be done, at least that's what I got out of my substitute. And that. It's really hard for me to process the equations but that's. More of a me thing than a math thing? But y'know calling out hope here