Adding & Subtracting Polynomials

Chapter 6.3

Polynomials• Definition: A polynomial is a function of the form

f(x) = anxn + an-1xn-1 + … + a1x + a0

an ≠ 0, All exponents are whole numbers, and

All coefficients are real numbers

• an is the Leading Coefficient

• n is the Degree

• a0 is the constant term

Polynomials

A polynomial is written in standard form when the terms are written in descending order of

exponents from left to right

Types of Polynomials

A monomial has one term.

A binomial has two terms.

5x2, a, 2c5d

5x2 + 3, ab – 4 , 2 + c

A trinomial has three terms.

5x2 + x – 3, ab – a + b , –c2 + c + 2

Names based on the number of terms

Types of Functions

Names based on the degree

Identifying Polynomial Functions