Fundamental Concepts

84. The Area Model of Division · Visualizing polynomial division with rectangles

The sum of the four sub-areas always equals the total area of the large rectangle.

6x²4x15x102x+53x+2width = 425width = 425height = 375height = 375X
Polynomial division undoes multiplication. To divide a polynomial by a binomial, arrange its area as a rectangle with one side equal to the divisor — the other side is the quotient. Splitting the rectangle into four sub-rectangles and matching the areas reveals each term of the quotient.
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