Introduction to Polynomials

Basic Definitions

• Term definition – A term is a constant or product of constant and one or more variables
  • Degree of term is exponent of its variable, example, in 4b², degree of term 4b² is 2
• Monomial is of the form ax^m where a is constant and m is whole number, so monomial contains only 1 term. Example: 4, 4b²
• A monomial or sum and/or difference of monomial is called Polynomial. Example: 4y² – 7y + 2
  • Degree of polynomial is highest degree of all its terms. In above example degree of polynomial 4y² – 7y + 2 is 2
• Binomial contains 2 terms, example, 3a-7
• Trinomial contains 3 terms, example, x²-5x+6

Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying Polynomials

• Addition, Subtraction of polynomials involves identifying like terms, then rearranging to get like terms together and then combining like terms