| Polynomial |
an expression whose terms
are in the form axk
, where k is a non-negative
integer, is a polynomial in one variable. |
| Degree |
The degree of a term axk
is the value of the
integer, k.
For the term 5x3,
the degree is 3.
|
| Degree of a
Polynomial |
The degree of a polynomial
is the largest degree of its terms.
For the polynomial 5x2
- 3x
+ 6, the degree is 2.
|
| Polynomial in
Standard Form |
A polynomial written with
its terms in descending order of degree (i.e. from largest to smallest)
is said to be in standard form. The polynomial:
15x2 - 8x
+ 14x3
+ 7
looks like this in standard form:
14x3
+15x2 - 8x
+ 7
|
| Coefficient |
The number a is the
coefficient of the term axk
. When a polynomial
is written in standard form, the coefficient of its first term is the leading
coefficient of the polynomial.
In the polynomial:
6x2 - 9x +
5
6 is
the leading coefficient.
|
| Monomial |
A polynomial with just one
term.
Example: 15x2 |
| Binomial |
A polynomial with just two
terms.
Example: 15x2
+ 7x |
| Trinomial |
A polynomial with just
three terms.
Example: 15x2
+ 7x + 12 |