Polynomials and Special Products Sec. p.3 Polynomials and Special Products

Polynomial Algebraic expression usually with multiple terms. Ex. 2x + 5; 3x4 – 7x2 + 2x + 4 Polynomials in x Ex. 5x2y2 – xy + 3 Polynomials in x & y

1 term 2 terms 3 terms Monomial Binomial Trinomial

Terms of polynomials in x axk Degree of term coefficient

2x3 – 5x2 +1 What are the coefficients? What is the degree of each term?

Degree of Polynomial Highest exponent in the expression. (largest degree of the terms) Leading coefficient The coefficient of the term with the highest exponent Constant term the constant Standard Form Descending powers of x

If there is more than 1 variable The degree of the terms are obtained by adding exponents The degree of the polynomial is the degree of the highest degree term

Zero Polynomial All coefficients are 0 Has no degree

Ex. 1 in workbook Can add or subtract by combining like terms For the product of polynomials take each term of the 1st polynomial and distribute it to the 2nd polynomial. Remember with binomials use FOIL