How do you do synthetic substitution?

Answer 1

First, put the number that the variable is equal to on the left, then put the leading coefficient inside and every coefficient after that on the left. If there's a term missing, for example this is missing an x2, put a zero in the spot it would be in. Then, take the leading coefficient down to the bottom. [Then multiply it by the number on the left and place it under the place where the next coefficient is. Then add those numbers and put the sum below them.] Repeat the steps that are surrounded by brackets until you get the answer, which is the number that is on the lower right.

Example:

For 4x4+6x3-3x-4 when x=2

2|4 6 0 -3 -4

Bring 4 down. Multiply by 2 to get 8. Add 6 to get 14. Multiply by 2 to get 28. Add 0 to get 28. Multiply by 2 to get 56. Add -3 to get 53. Multiply by 2 to get 106. Add -4 to get 102. 102 is the answer.