Polynomials – Things to remember

By: Noelle Carden

When you add or subtract polynomials

•DON’T CHANGE THE EXPONENTS!!!!!!!!

Addition Example:

2 2(1 2 3) (2 3 4)x x x x

3x2 1x 1

Subtraction example:

(2x 1) (3x 3)2x 1 3x 3 1x 4

Coefficient

• The number multiplied by the variable

Term

• Expressions separated by addition or subtraction

Like Terms

• Same variable and same exponent

Monomial is one term

4x3

Bionomial is two terms

7x 4

Trinomial is three terms

3x2 2x 1

Degree of a monomial

•Add the exponents on the variables in one term•Degree of x2y3 is 5

Degree on a polymial

• The highest degree (exponent) of all the monomials•Degree of x3 + 2x + 1 is: 3

Standard Form

•Put the monomials in order by exponents, with the highest exponent first

Linear

•Polynomial with Degree 1

7x1

Quadratic:

•Polynomial with Degree 2

3x2

Cubic

•Polynomial with Degree 3

4x3