Polynomials

[Okami Wolfen]

Okay, this has irritated me for WEEKS.

I'm working on trying to divide polynomials. I did the problem exactly as they said to do mit, and they say it's wrong.

This is said problem.

(x^3+4x^2-3x-12)/(x^2-3)

The answer I got was x-4

>.<

[GDwarf]

Well, how did you get your answer? It's been a while since I last did this, and seeing you attempt it might help job my memory.


Edit: And what is the correct answer supposed to be?

[Homarid]

I haven't worked with these in a very, very long time. Like maybe 7 years ago. I have no idea about the actual method anymore, but I remember enough that I see your problem with this one question.

As far as I can tell, you got the most important parts right, there's just one small detail involving the positive/negative sign. I'm pretty sure it should be (x+4).

As you have it right now, the negative signs would cancel each other out when multiplying the 3 and 4 at the end, and the 4x^2 would become -4x^2 instead. This could probably be explained better, but I hope it makes sense/helps as it is.

[Snarwin]

[GDwarf]

It would certainly seem, then, that you just got a sign backwards, which is probably the most common error in math.


It's a bit odd that you weren't told that that was all that was wrong, though.