synthetic division

noun

: a simplified method for dividing a polynomial by another polynomial of the first degree by writing down only the coefficients of the several powers of the variable and changing the sign of the constant term in the divisor so as to replace the usual subtractions by additions

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of synthetic division was in 1850

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Style

“Synthetic division.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synthetic%20division. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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