Algebra 2, Part 1

Unit 6 – Polynomials
Use this study guide to help you prepare for the quizzes, unit test, and assignment. The study guide contains guided
notes and practice activities to help focus your learning throughout the unit. The Study Guide is NOT graded; all
exercises are for you to practice and apply what you have learned in each lesson. For specific questions about any of
the content, please use the Ask the Teacher page in the course.

Unit Objectives
In this unit, you will learn the basic vocabulary associated with and the key aspects of polynomials, including the
degree of a polynomial and its coefficients. How to perform basic operations with polynomials, like the addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division of them. When dividing polynomials, how to factor (when possible) both the
top and bottom expressions, and to cancel like factors. You will be introduced to the two methods of dividing
polynomials; long division and synthetic division. You will learn how to make wise decisions regarding which method
would be most convenient and when. Plus, how to solve polynomials by applying the Fundamental Theorem of
Algebra, including listing possible rational roots, complex roots and irrational roots.

Lesson 6.1 Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials

Lesson Objective: The basic vocabulary associated with and the key aspects of polynomials, including the degree
of a polynomial and its coefficients. How to perform basic operations with polynomials, like addition, and
subtraction.

Important Definitions: Pay attention to these specific terms and write down their definitions and an example of
each one as you are watching the videos and looking at the readings.

Coefficient:

Leading coefficient:

Degree:

Polynomial:

Standard form:
Example Problems:

Put the polynomial in standard Add Subtract

form. y=2+3x-2x3+2x2 (x2+2x-1)+(3x2-1x+2) (x2+2x-1)-(3x2-1x+2)

Standard form is…. Add like terms Distribute the negative

y=-2x3+2x2+3x+2 (x2+3x2)+(2x+(-1x))+(-1+2) (x2+2x-1)+(-3x2+1x-2)
4x2+1x+1 (x2-3x2)+(2x+1x)+(-1-2)
-2x2+3x-3

Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
Put the polynomial in Add Subtract Add
standard form. (x2+3x-2)+(5x2-4x+1) (2x2+1x-5)-(1x2-2x+3) (x2-2)+(5x3-4x+1)
y=2+3x3-2x4+2x2+4x

Lesson 6.2 Product of Polynomials

Lesson Objective: How to perform the basic operations with polynomials, like multiplication.

Important Definitions: Pay attention to these specific terms and write down their definitions and an example of
each one as you are watching the videos and looking at the readings.

Factor:

Distribute:

Example Problems:
Multiply / Find the product of…..
(x-2)(x-3) (x-2)(x2+1x+2)

(x)(x)+(x)(-3)+(-2)(x)+(-2)(-3) (x)(x2)+(x)(1x)+(x)(2)+(-2)(x2)+(-2)(1x)+(-2)(2)
x2-3x-2x+6 x3+1x2+2x-2x2-2x-4
x2-5x+6 x3-1x2+0x-4
x3-1x2-4

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Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
Multiply / Find the product of…..

(x+5)(x-3) (x-1)(x+2)

(x-3)(x2+x-5) (x2+1)(x2+2x+4)

Lesson 6.3 Factoring Special Polynomials

Lesson Objective: With regards to dividing polynomials, how to factor (when possible) both the top and bottom
expressions, and to cancel like factors.

Important Definitions: Pay attention to these specific terms and write down their definitions and an example of
each one as you are watching the videos and looking at the readings.

Difference of Squares: Add any specific terms

Sum of Cubes:

Difference of Cubes:

Factor by grouping:

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Example Problems:
Difference of squares Difference of Cubes Sum of Cubes Factor by Grouping

a2-b2=(a+b)(a-b) a3-b3=(a-b)(a2+ab+b2) a3+b3=(a+b)(a2-ab+b2) 4 terms

x2-16=x2-42=(x-4)(x+4) x3-8=x3-23 8x3+1=(2x)3+13= 2x3+6x2+3x+9

(x-2)(x2+2x+4) (2x+1)(4x2-2x+1) Group
(2x3+6x2)+(3x+9)
Factor out the GCF in
each group
2x2(x+3)+3(x+3)
Combine like terms
(2x2+3)(x+3)

Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
Factor using the appropriate method.

X3-27 4x2-36 27x3+8 x3+3x2+x+3

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Lesson 6.4 Division of Polynomials: Long Division
Lesson Objective: The two methods of dividing polynomials; long division and synthetic division.

Example Problems:

Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
Divide using long division.
(x2-25)/(x+5) (x3+6x2+10x+3)/(x+3)

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(x3-4x2+5x-2)/(x-2) (x2+7x+6)/(x+6)

Lesson 6.5 Division of Polynomials: Synthetic Division

Lesson Objective: The two methods of dividing polynomials; long division and synthetic division.

Example Problems:
Divide (-9x4+10x3+7x2-6)/(x-1)

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/waymakercollegealgebra/chapter/synthetic-division/
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The answer is -9x3+1x2+8x+8+ 𝑥−1 . (x-1) is not a factor of -9x4+10x3+7x2-6 because it didn’t obtain a remainder
of 0.

Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
Divide using synthetic division

(x2-25)/(x+5) (x3+6x2+10x+3)/(x+3)

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(x3-4x2+5x-2)/(x-2) (x2+7x+6)/(x+6)

Lesson 6.6 Rational Roots of Polynomials

Lesson Objective: How to solve polynomials by applying the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, including listing
possible rational roots, complex roots and irrational roots.

Important Definitions: Pay attention to these specific terms and write down their definitions and an example of
each one as you are watching the videos and looking at the readings.

Root:

Zero:

X-intercept:

Solution:

Important Formulas:
𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
Rational Roots Theorem: Possible Rational Roots of a Polynomial = 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡

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Example Problems:
List all of the possible rational roots of the polynomial. Then find all roots of the polynomial.

y=1x3-2x2-5x+6 y=x3+8
±1,±2,±3,±6 ±1,±2,±4,±8
Possible rational roots= ±1
=± 1, ± 2, ± 3, ± 6 Possible rational roots= ±1
=
± 1, ± 2, ± 4, ± 8

roots = -2
All other possible roots lead to remainders ≠ 0

roots= -2,1,3
All other possible roots lead to remainders ≠ 0

Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
List all of the possible rational roots of the polynomial. Then find all roots of the polynomial.

y=x3-5x2+2x+8 y=x3+x2-2x

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y=x3+x2-17x+15 y=x4+x3-7x2-x+6

Lesson 6.7 Real Roots of a Polynomial

Lesson Objective: How to solve polynomials by applying the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, including listing
possible rational roots, complex roots and irrational roots.

Important Definitions: Pay attention to these specific terms and write down their definitions and an example of
each one as you are watching the videos and looking at the readings.
Real Roots:

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Example Problems:
Find all real roots/zeros and factors of:
y=x4+3x3-3x2-15x-10

Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
Find all real roots/zeros and factors of:

y=x3-2x2-3x+6

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y=x3+x2-17x+15

y=x4-4x3-x2+16x-12

y=x4+3x3-12x2-6x+20

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Lesson 6.8 Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
Lesson Objective: How to solve polynomials by applying the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, including listing
possible rational roots, complex roots and irrational roots.

Example Problems:
Find all factors and zeros of Write the polynomial with given roots x=2 and x=-3i
y=x3+x2+4x+4

The degree of the polynomial is 3. Imaginary zeros always come in conjugate pairs.
Since the degree is 3, the polynomial will have 3 Since one zero is -3i, it will have a pair +3i
roots. So the polynomial will have factors of….
y=(x3+x2)+(4x+4) y=(x-2)(x+3i)(x-3i)
y=x2(x+1)+4(x+1) y=(x-2)(x2+9)
y=(x2+4)(x+1) y=x3-2x2+9x-18
y=(x-2i)(x+2i)(x+1) factors
x=2i, x=-2i, x=-1 zeros

Practice Problems: Now it is your turn. Follow the steps shown in the example problems.
If you only need one column use this row. If you want multiple columns, delete this row

Find all factors and zeros of y=x3-2x2-5x+6 Find all factors and zeros of y=x3+2x2+4x+8

Write the polynomial with given roots x=1 and x=2i Write the polynomial with given roots x=-2 and x=(1+2i)

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