Synthetic and Long Division for (9x^4 - x^2 - 6x + 2) / (3x - 1)

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The discussion focuses on using synthetic and long division to divide the polynomial (9x^4 - x^2 - 6x + 2) by (3x - 1). The key point is that the root x = 1/3 was identified, but the synthetic division was incorrectly set up by not accounting for the factor of 3 in the divisor. Participants clarified that the second line of the synthetic division should include the correct coefficients and emphasized the need to divide the result by 3. The conversation also included some off-topic remarks about other forum threads. Overall, the main issue was the misunderstanding of how to properly apply synthetic division in this context.
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Homework Statement



I apologise that this is not in LaTeX, but i just couldn't find the codes

Use long division or synthetic division: (9x^4 -x^2 - 6x+2) / (3x-1)

The Attempt at a Solution



So the root is x = 1/3

P(1/3) = 0, no remaindar

1/3 | 9 0 -1 -6 2
...|...3 -1 0 -2
___________
...9 -3 0 - 6 4

Where did i go wrong?
 
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What do you do really? If I guess well, the second line should be
3 -1 -6 2.

ehild
 
You should ADD items in the first and second lines.

Don't forget to divide the result by 3.
 
Sammy, why did you leave the physics forum? Come back!
 
Gee, I think I'm still there --- or am I here ??

BTW: I've posted a couple of times in a recent Gauss's Law thread of yours.
 
SammyS said:
Gee, I think I'm still there --- or am I here ??

BTW: I've posted a couple of times in a recent Gauss's Law thread of yours.

If you are talking about this one https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=489350&page=9, I think eveyrone gave up on it already lol. Oh yeah yuo mean my new problem.
 
The problem was to divide 9x^4- x^2- 6x+ 2 by 3x- 1. Your synthetic division is dividing by x- 1/3. That's why SammyS says you need to also divide by 3.
 
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