1. Topic: Introduction to Polynomials
Unit 8 – Polynomials
Topic: Introduction to Polynomials

2. What are monomials & polynomials?
Single term.
Number, variable, or product of numbers & variables.
Ex.
Polynomial
More than one term.
Sum or difference of monomials.
Ex.

3. Degrees of monomials & polynomials
Degree = sum of variable exponents.
Ex.
Polynomial
Degree of term with highest degree.
Ex.

4. Standard form of a polynomial
Terms are written in decreasing order of degree.
Only done when polynomial contains one variable.
Coefficient of 1st term is called leading coefficient.

5. Standard form of a polynomial
Write the following in standard form and identify the leading coefficient.
Rewrite from highest to lowest degree.
The leading coefficient is –4.

6. Adding & Subtracting Polynomials
REMEMBER: Only like terms can be combined.
Like terms have same variable(s) AND degree.
When combining like terms, add or subtract coefficients ONLY (degree doesn’t change).
Final answer MUST be in standard form (if possible).

7. Adding & Subtracting Polynomials
Horizontal Method
Use Commutative & Associative Properties to regroup and combine like terms.
Group the like terms, in order of decreasing degree.
Combine like terms.

8. Adding & Subtracting Polynomials
Vertical Method
Align like terms; to avoid confusion you can use 0 as a coefficient for missing terms.
We use 0n so all our terms will line up for easy addition (or you can leave an empty space).

9. JOURNAL Entry Title: Polynomials 3-2-1
Identify 3 things you already knew from the Powerpoint, 2 new things you learned, and one question you still have.

10. Homework Textbook Section 7-5 (pg. 479): 28-48 even
DUE 2/23 (b-day) or 2/24 (a-day)