Division is the inverse operation of multiplication defined so that if
where b is nonzero, then
In this equation, a is the quotient, b is the divisor, and c is the dividend. If dividend and divisor have like positive or negative sign, then the quotient is positive; if their signs are different, the quotient is negative,
Division involving two powers of a number or variable is performed by subtracting the exponent of the divisor from that of the dividend:
the division of the coefficients being carried out in the same way:
In the division of integers, where an integral quotient is required, it may well be that the division does not divide exactly into the dividend: thus 7/3 = 2 remainder 1 (or, in real numbers, 2 1/3).
A skeletal division is a long division in which most or all of the digits are replaced by a symbol (usually asterisks) to form a cryptarithm.
See also obelus.
Division of a polynomial by a binomialThis can be performed by factoring if the binomial is a factor of the polynomial. If not, a more complex procedure is used. To divide a polynomial by a monomial, divide each term separately by the monomial. Thus ax4y2 + bxy3 - cx divided by - dxy is
- (a/d)x3y - (b/d)y2 + c/d(y-1)
Related categories ALGEBRA
Home • About • Copyright © The Worlds of David Darling • Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy • Contact