Dividend

Definition

A dividend is the polynomial that is being divided by another polynomial (the divisor) in a division problem. It is the numerator in the fraction form of polynomial division.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The dividend is placed inside the division symbol or long division bracket.
2. When performing synthetic division, the coefficients of the dividend are used in calculations.
3. The degree of the dividend must be greater than or equal to the degree of the divisor for proper polynomial division.
4. In polynomial long division, each term of the quotient is obtained by dividing terms from the dividend.
5. The remainder in polynomial division can be expressed as a fraction with the remainder over the original divisor.

Review Questions

• What part does the dividend play in a polynomial division problem?
• How do you determine if a polynomial can be divided using another polynomial as its divisor?
• In synthetic division, what role do the coefficients of the dividend play?

Related terms

Divisor:

The polynomial by which another polynomial (the dividend) is divided.

Quotient:

The result obtained when one polynomial is divided by another.

Remainder:

The part left over after dividing one polynomial by another, less than the degree of the divisor.