Classifying Polynomials

Introduction

So more stuff I probably know but here because I struggle with words.

Terms

These are mathematical expressions with consist of a Number and a variable for example 2x. The number part is called the coefficient which is a fancy way of saying the number you need to multiply by. The variable part can be a name and raised by a power.

Polynomial

A polynomial is a combination of many terms. e.g 2x²+3x+24. Each term must be joined by addition or subtraction not multiplication other binary operators. There are names for terms

• 1 term - monomial
• 2 terms - binomial
• 3 terms - trinomial
• More than 3 - polynomial

Examples

So some polynomial may not show the number or the variable part. For example

3x² + x -5

All this means is we have abbreviated the expression.

3x² + 1x -5x⁰

There now it looks proper. The last term which is just a number is known as the constant term as it never changes.