Page 728 - Basic College Mathematics with Early Integers

Appendix Exponents and

B Polynomials

Objectives B.1 ADDING AND SUBTRACTING POLYNOMIALS
Add Polynomials.
Before we add and subtract polynomials, let’s first review some definitions presented
Subtract Polynomials. in Section 8.1. Recall that the addends of an algebraic expression are the terms of the
expression.
Evaluate Polynomials at Given
Replacement Values. Expression
2
3x + 5 7y + 1-6y2 + 4

c c c c c
2 terms 3 terms
Also, recall that like terms can be added or subtracted by using the distributive
property. For example,
7x + 3x = 17 + 32x = 10x

Objective Adding Polynomials

Some terms are also monomials. A term is a monomial if the term contains only
whole number exponents and no variable in the denominator.
Monomials Not Monomials
2
3x 2 Variable in denominator
y
1
2
- a bc 3 -2x -5 Not a whole number exponent
2
7
A monomial or a sum and/or difference of monomials is called a polynomial.

Polynomial

A polynomial is a monomial or a sum and/or difference of monomials.

Examples of Polynomials

1 1
5x - 6x + 2x + 10, -1.2y + 0.7y, z, r - , 0
3
2
3
3 2
Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.
Some polynomials are given special names depending on their number of terms.
Types of Polynomials
A monomial is a polynomial with exactly one term.
A binomial is a polynomial with exactly two terms.
A trinomial is a polynomial with exactly three terms.
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