Divisor

Definition

A divisor is a number or expression that divides another number or expression without leaving a remainder. It is a fundamental concept in mathematics, particularly in the context of division operations and finding the greatest common factor of polynomials.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The divisor determines how many times the dividend can be divided, with the result being the quotient.
2. In polynomial division, the divisor is the polynomial by which another polynomial is divided.
3. Finding the greatest common factor (GCF) of polynomials involves identifying the largest divisor that is common to all the terms in the polynomial.
4. Factoring by grouping is a technique that uses the divisor to identify common factors among the terms in a polynomial.
5. The divisor must be non-zero, as division by zero is undefined.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of the divisor in the polynomial division process.
  • The divisor is the polynomial by which another polynomial is divided. It determines how many times the dividend can be divided, with the result being the quotient. In polynomial division, the divisor is used to identify the common factors among the terms in the dividend, allowing the polynomial to be divided and simplified.
• Describe how the divisor is used in the process of finding the greatest common factor (GCF) of polynomials.
  • Finding the GCF of polynomials involves identifying the largest divisor that is common to all the terms in the polynomial. The divisor is used to factor the polynomial by identifying the common factors among the terms, which can then be factored out to reveal the GCF. This process is crucial in simplifying and manipulating polynomial expressions.
• Analyze the relationship between the divisor and the factoring by grouping technique for polynomials.
  • Factoring by grouping is a technique that uses the divisor to identify common factors among the terms in a polynomial. By grouping the terms based on their common factors, the divisor can be used to simplify the polynomial and reveal its underlying structure. This process is essential in understanding the behavior of polynomial expressions and preparing them for further mathematical operations.

Related terms

Dividend: The number or expression that is being divided by the divisor.

Quotient: The result of dividing the dividend by the divisor.

Factor: A number or expression that divides another number or expression without leaving a remainder.