1 synthetic division | Definition of synthetic division

synthetic division

noun

Definition of synthetic division

: 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

First Known Use of synthetic division

1850, in the meaning defined above

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More from Merriam-Webster on synthetic division

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about synthetic division