Chapter 5: Some Operations with Polynomials and

Radicals

5.1 Introduction to Polynomials5.2 Names of Polynomials

Definitions and VocabularyA term is a number, a variable or

the product of a number and a variable. Terms are the pieces that make up an expression.

If a term does not contain a variable, it is also called a constant.

Definitions and VocabularyA polynomial is an expression in

which terms are connected by addition, subtraction, and/or multiplication.

Polynomials with special namesNumber of Terms

Name

1 Monomial

2 Binomial

3 Trinomial

Definitions and VocabularyThe coefficient of a variable is

the number that is attached to the variable by multiplication. Constants are also considered coefficents.

Example: Give the coefficient of each term.1.

Example: Is the expression a polynomial?1. 2. 3.

4.

Writing PolynomialsPolynomials are written in

descending powers of .

Example: Write the polynomial in descending powers of . 1. 2.

Definitions and VocabularyThe degree of a polynomial with

one variable is the exponent of the highest power of that variable.

Polynomials with special namesDegree Name

1 (first) Linear

2 (second) Quadratic

3 (third) Cubic

Example: name the polynomial by degree and by number of terms

1. 2. 3. 4.

HomeworkP 171 #1 – 36,47 – 56 odds