Education Technology


Polynomial Division

Activity Overview

This Computer Algebra System (CAS) activity encourages students to investigate polynomial division, the Remainder Theorem, and the Factoring Theorem.

Before the Activity

  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 1 - 3 from the attached PDF file for the class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:

  • Review the PropFrac and Expand-key methods that can be used to divide polynomials
  • Find the remainder of this division
  • Examine the relationship between the value of the polynomial, the linear factor, and the polynomial division
  • Enter the polynomial expression and use different denominators to divide the polynomial
  • Generalize the results for all linear divisors
  • Enter a polynomial and factorize it
  • After the Activity

    Students' answer questions on the Activity sheet.

    Review student results:

  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary