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Question

The quotient of 8x 3– y 3when divided by 2xy + 4x 2+ y 2is

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2017 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (05-Feb-2017)
The correct answer is

2x – y

Finding the Quotient of Polynomial Division

The question asks us to find the quotient when the polynomial \(8x^3 - y^3\) is divided by the polynomial \(2xy + 4x^2 + y^2\). This is a problem involving polynomial division, specifically recognizing and applying algebraic identities.

Understanding the Problem

We are given a dividend, \(8x^3 - y^3\), and a divisor, \(2xy + 4x^2 + y^2\). We need to find the expression that results from dividing the dividend by the divisor. Let's rearrange the divisor into a standard form, typically ordered by descending powers of one variable (e.g., \(x\)): \(4x^2 + 2xy + y^2\).

  • Dividend: \(8x^3 - y^3\)
  • Divisor: \(4x^2 + 2xy + y^2\)

Recognizing Algebraic Identities

The dividend \(8x^3 - y^3\) looks similar to the form of a difference of cubes, which has the algebraic identity:

\[a^3 - b^3 = (a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)\]

Let's see if we can express \(8x^3 - y^3\) in the form \(a^3 - b^3\).

  • We can write \(8x^3\) as \((2x)^3\). So, we can let \(a = 2x\).
  • We can write \(y^3\) as \((y)^3\). So, we can let \(b = y\).

Now, let's substitute \(a=2x\) and \(b=y\) into the factored form of the difference of cubes identity:

\[(a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2) = (2x - y)((2x)^2 + (2x)(y) + y^2)\] \[= (2x - y)(4x^2 + 2xy + y^2)\]

So, we have factored the dividend \(8x^3 - y^3\) as \((2x - y)(4x^2 + 2xy + y^2)\).

Performing the Division

Now the division becomes:

\[\frac{8x^3 - y^3}{4x^2 + 2xy + y^2} = \frac{(2x - y)(4x^2 + 2xy + y^2)}{4x^2 + 2xy + y^2}\]

Assuming the divisor \(4x^2 + 2xy + y^2\) is not equal to zero, we can cancel out the common factor \(4x^2 + 2xy + y^2\) from the numerator and the denominator.

\[\frac{(2x - y)\cancel{(4x^2 + 2xy + y^2)}}{\cancel{4x^2 + 2xy + y^2}} = 2x - y\]

Final Quotient

The result of the division is \(2x - y\). This is the quotient.

Verifying with Options

Let's compare our result with the given options:

  1. \(2x + y\)
  2. \(x + 2y\)
  3. \(2x - y\)
  4. \(4x - y\)

Our calculated quotient \(2x - y\) matches option 3.

ExpressionType
\(8x^3 - y^3\)Difference of Cubes (Dividend)
\(4x^2 + 2xy + y^2\)Trinomial (Divisor)
\(2x - y\)Binomial (Quotient)

Revision Table: Polynomial Division & Identities

Understanding polynomial division and recognizing common algebraic identities are key skills. The difference of cubes identity used here is fundamental.

IdentityFormulaExample Application
Difference of Cubes\(a^3 - b^3 = (a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)\)\(x^3 - 8 = (x-2)(x^2+2x+4)\)
Sum of Cubes\(a^3 + b^3 = (a + b)(a^2 - ab + b^2)\)\(x^3 + 27 = (x+3)(x^2-3x+9)\)
Difference of Squares\(a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b)\)\(x^2 - 9 = (x-3)(x+3)\)

Additional Information: Algebraic Factorization

Algebraic factorization is the process of breaking down an expression into a product of simpler expressions, called factors. Recognizing patterns like the difference or sum of cubes is crucial for efficient factorization, which in turn simplifies expressions and helps in solving equations or performing divisions as shown in this problem.

When dividing polynomials, if the dividend can be factored and one of the factors is exactly the divisor, the quotient is the other factor. If not, polynomial long division or synthetic division might be needed, but for standard problems like this, recognizing identities is the intended method.

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Important Questions from Identities

  1. (x - y) 3+ (y - z) 3+ (z - x) 3= ?

  2. If   \(x + \left( {\frac{1}{x}} \right) = 12\)  and  \({x^2} - \frac{1}{{{x^2}}} = 50\) , then the value of  \({x^4} - \frac{1}{{{x^4}}} \)  is:

  3. \((\sqrt{7} + \sqrt{9})(\sqrt{7} - \sqrt{9})\) is equal to:
  4. If x satisfies the equation x 2 - 2x + 1 = 0, then the value of  \(\rm x^3 - \frac{1}{x^3}\)  is:

  5. If x + y = 5 and xy = 6, then find x 3+ y 3

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