What is the first step of the following division problem?
(8x3 – x2 + 6x + 7) ÷ (2x – 1)

a. divide 8x3 by 2x.
b. divide 2x by 8x3.
c. divide 6x by 2x.
d. divide 2x by 6x.

You write out the long division of polynomials the same as you do for dividing numbers. The dividend goes under the long division bar, while the divisor goes to the left.

1. If you’re dividing by , goes under the bar, while goes to the left.

2. Divide the first term of the divisor into the first term of the dividend. The result of this division goes on top of the division bar.

For our example, dividing the first term of the dividend, by the first term of the divisor, you would write on the top of the division bar, over the

3. Multiply the in the quotient position by the divisor. Write the result of the multiplication under the leftmost terms of the dividend.

Continuing with our example, multiplying by produces You would write this under the first two terms of the dividend.

And so on, but it is not your question)

the correct choice is A.