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Combining like terms Simplifying expressions Expanding expressionsHere you will learn about polynomials, including binomials, quadratics, cubics, and quartics. You will learn how to write them in standard form and simplify them.
Students first learn about polynomials in algebra and expand their knowledge as they progress through high school mathematics.
A polynomial is an algebraic expression that is made up of variables, constants, and exponents that are joined together using mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). The exponents of polynomial expressions must be whole numbers and the coefficients must be real numbers.
Polynomials are typically written in standard form which is the descending order of exponents. The leading term always has the highest exponent and defines the degree of the polynomial. The degree corresponds to the number of roots a polynomial has.
There are several classifications of polynomials by the number of terms they have.
For example,
An example of a polynomial is a quadratic with three terms, x^2+3 x-6.
The prefix βpolyβ means many, so polynomial expressions have many terms.
This polynomial has a variable x.
The degree of a polynomial refers to the highest power (exponent) of its variable.
Putting polynomials in standard form helps to identify the degree and the leading coefficient.
The standard form of a polynomial is when the exponents of the variables are in descending order. The exponent of the leading term (or first term) of a polynomial in standard is the degree and the coefficient of the leading term.
For example, 5 x^2-8 x^4+7 x-10 is not in standard form. Notice how the exponents of the variable, x, are not in descending order. You can rewrite the polynomial to place it in standard form.
5 x^2-8 x^4+7 x-10 \rightarrow-8 x^4+5 x^2+7 x-10 (Standard Form)
The leading term of the polynomial is 5 ^x4. The degree of this polynomial is 4 which is the exponent of the first term. It also happens to be the highest exponent or highest power of the polynomial. The leading coefficient is -8 which is the coefficient of the first term in standard form.
Sometimes you need to expand polynomials in order to determine their degree. You can use a multiplication grid OR the distributive property to expand the polynomial and place it in standard form.
Letβs look at an example that demonstrates both methods.
What is the degree and leading coefficient of the polynomial formed from (x-6)^2\left(3 x^2+1\right) ?
You can rewrite this as (x-6)(x-6)\left(3 x^2+1\right).
Letβs first use the distributive property to multiply the first two sets of binomials.
\begin{aligned}& (x-6)(x-6) \\\\ & =x^2-6 x-6 x+36 \\\\ & =x^2-12 x+36\end{aligned}Now, place this quadratic trinomial in brackets and multiply it by the last binomial.
\left(x^2-12 x+36\right)\left(3 x^2+1\right)Continue using the distributive property, first multiply x^2 to 3 x^2 and +1.
3 x^4+x^2Then take the -12x and multiply it to 3 x^2 and +1.
-36 x^3-12 xThen take the 36 and multiply it to 3 x^2 and +1.
108 x^2+36List all the multiplied terms out,
3 x^4+x^2-36 x^3-12 x+108 x^2+36Combine like terms and write the polynomial in standard form.
\begin{aligned}&3 x^4+x^2-36 x^3-12 x+108 x^2+36 \\\\ &3 x^4-36 x^3+109 x^2-12 x+36\end{aligned}The first term in the polynomial is 3 x^4 which has an exponent of 4. So, this is a polynomial of degree 4. It is a quartic.
Here, the coefficient of the x^4 term is the positive integer 3.
The coefficient of the x^3 term is -36.
The coefficient of the x^2 term is 109.
The coefficient of the x term is -12.
The constant term is 36.
OR
From this point, \left(x^2-12 x+36\right)\left(3 x^2+1\right) , you can use a multiplication grid to help keep track of terms.
Whichever method you use, be sure to write the final polynomial in standard form and combine like terms.
In this case, the polynomial in standard form is:
3 x^4-36 x^3+109 x^2-12 x+36The degree of the polynomial is 4.
The leading coefficient is 3.
The polynomial has 5 terms.
Note: Polynomials can have coefficients that are integers, decimals, fractions or radicals.
For example, \cfrac{1}{4} x^3-\sqrt{2} x^2+0.21 x-7.
How does this relate to 7 th grade math and high school math?
Use this worksheet to check your high school studentsβ understanding of polynomials. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!
DOWNLOAD FREEUse this worksheet to check your high school studentsβ understanding of polynomials. 15 questions with answers to identify areas of strength and support!
DOWNLOAD FREEIn order to determine the degree and leading coefficient of a polynomial.
Identify the degree and the leading coefficient of the polynomial.
5 x-x^4+9 x^5-7 x^2-112Identify the exponent of the first term and the coefficient.
The first term of the polynomial is 9 x^5 .
The exponent of the first term is 5 and the coefficient is 9.
3Label the degree and the leading coefficient.
The degree of the polynomial, 9 x^5-x^4-7 x^2+5 x-11, is 5 and the leading coefficient is 9 .
Identify the degree and the leading coefficient of the polynomial.
-x^3-x^6+x^2-7 x-11+x^5Rewrite the polynomial in descending order of exponents.
Identify the exponent of the first term and the coefficient.
-x^6 is the first term.
The exponent is 6 and the coefficient is -1.
Label the degree and the leading coefficient.
The degree of the polynomial, -x^6+x^5-x^3+x^2-7 x-11, is 6 and the leading coefficient is -1.
In order to write a polynomial in standard form:
Expand the polynomial to determine the degree.
(2 x-3)(x+5)Write out the terms in individual pairs of parentheses.
None of the brackets are squared, so you already have the individual pairs of brackets.
Expand the pairs of parentheses.
You can use the distributive property or a multiplication grid to expand.
Using the distributive property:
First multiply (distribute) 2x to x and +5 \rightarrow 2 x^2+10 x
Then multiply (distribute) -3 to x and +5 \rightarrow -3 x-15
Write out the terms and combine like terms.
10x and -3x are like terms and combine to be 7x.
10 x-3 x=7 x
Repeat the process if there is more than one set of parentheses.
There is not another set of parentheses, so you do not need to repeat the process.
Write the polynomial in standard form.
Standard form is in descending order of exponents.
2 x^2-7 x-15
The degree of this trinomial is 2.
Expand the polynomial to determine the degree.
(3 x+4)^2Write out the terms in individual pairs of parentheses.
(3 x+4)^2 is the same as (3 x+4)(3 x+4).
Expand the pairs of parentheses β Repeat if there is more than one set.
You can use the distributive property or a multiplication grid to expand.
Using the distributive property:
First multiply 3x to 3x and +4 \rightarrow 9 x^2+12 x
Then multiply 4 to 3x and +4 \rightarrow 12 x+16
Write out the terms and combine like terms.
12x and 12x are like terms, so they combine to be 24x.
12 x+12 x=24 x
Repeat the process if there is more than one set of parentheses.
There is not another set of parentheses so you do not need to repeat the process.
Write the polynomial in standard form.
The degree of the polynomial is 2.
Expand the polynomial to determine the degree.
(2 x+5)(x-2)(x+1)Write out the terms in individual pairs of parentheses.
None of the brackets are squared so you already have the individual pairs of brackets.
Expand the pairs of parentheses.
You can use the distributive property or a multiplication grid to expand.
Using the distributive property for the first two sets of parentheses:
First multiply 2x to the x and the -2 \rightarrow 2 x^2-4 x
Then multiply 5 to the x and the -2 \rightarrow 5 x-10
Write out the terms and combine like terms.
-4x and 5x are like terms and combine to be 1x or x.
-4 x+5 x=1 x
2 x^2+x-10
Repeat the process if there is more than one set of parentheses.
There is another set of parentheses so repeat the process.
Place parentheses around 2 x^2+x-10.
\left(2 x^2+x-10\right)(x+1)
Expand using the distributive property or a multiplication grid.
To keep track of the terms, a multiplication grid is used to multiply.
2 x^2 and x^2 are like terms that combine to be 3 x^2 and -10x and x are like terms that combine to be -9x.
2 x^2+x^2=3 x^2
-10 x+x=-9 x
Write the polynomial in standard form.
The degree of the polynomial is 3.
Expand the polynomial to determine the degree.
(2 x-3)^3Write out the terms in individual pairs of parentheses.
Expand the pairs of parentheses.
You can use the distributive property or a multiplication grid to expand.
Distributive property will be used on the first set of parentheses.
First take the 2x and multiply it to 2x and -3 \rightarrow 4 x^2-6 x
Then take the -3 and multiply it to 2x and -3 \rightarrow -6 x+9
Write out the terms and combine like terms.
-6x and -6x are like terms which combine to be -12x.
-6 x+(-6 x)=-12 x
(2 x-3)(2 x-3)=4 x^2-12 x+9
Repeat the process if there is more than one set of parentheses.
There is another set of parentheses.
Put parentheses around 4 x^2-12 x+9.
\left(4 x^2-12 x+9\right)(2 x-3)
Expand using the distributive property or a multiplication grid.
To keep track of the terms, a multiplication grid is used to multiply.
-12 x^2 and -24 x^2 are like terms that combine to be -36 x^2 and 36x and 18x are like terms that combine to be 54x.
Write the polynomial in standard form.
The polynomial in standard form is, 8 x^3-36 x^2+54 x-27.
The degree of the polynomial is 3.
1. Identify the degree and the leading coefficient of the polynomial,
-4 x^3+6 x^5-10-x^4+x
Degree: 3 and Leading coefficient; -4
Degree: -4 and Leading coefficient: 3
Degree: 5 and Leading coefficient: 6
Degree: 6 and Leading coefficient: 5
First rewrite the polynomial in standard form which is in descending order of exponents.
-4 x^3+6 x^5-10-x^4+x \rightarrow 6 x^5-x^4-4 x^3+x-10
The first term in standard form is 6 x^5. The degree is the exponent of the first term which in this case is 5 and the leading coefficient is the coefficient of the first term which is 6.
2. Identify the degree and the leading coefficient of the polynomial,
9+8 x^2-x^3-\cfrac{1}{2} \, x
Degree: 0 and Leading coefficient; 9
Degree: 3 and Leading coefficient: 1
Degree: 1 and Leading coefficient: 3
Degree: 3 and Leading coefficient: -1
First rewrite the polynomial in standard form which is in descending order of exponents.
9+8 x^2-x^3-\cfrac{1}{2} \, x \rightarrow-x^3+8 x^2-\cfrac{1}{2} \, x+9
The first term in standard form is -x^3. The degree is the exponent of the first term which in this case is 3 and the leading coefficient is the coefficient of the first term which is -1.
3. Expand the polynomial and simplify.
(2 x-1)(2 x+5)
Using a multiplication grid:
OR
You can use the distributive property:
First multiply 2x to 2x and +5 \rightarrow 4 x^2+10 x
Then multiply -1 to 2 and +5 \rightarrow -2 x-5
4 x^2+10 x-2 x-5,10 x and -2 x are like terms. They combine to be 8x.
10 x-2 x=8 x
The polynomial in standard form is: 4 x^2+8 x-5.
4. Expand the polynomial and simplify.
(4 x+3)^2
Using the multiplication grid:
(4 x+3)^2=(4 x+3)(4 x+3)
Using the distributive property:
(4 x+3)^2=(4 x+3)(4 x+3)
First take 4x and multiply it to 4x and +3 \rightarrow 16 x^2+12 x
Then take 3 and multiply it to 4x and +3 \rightarrow 12x+9
16 x^2+12 x+12 x+9,12 x and 12 x are like terms that combine to be 24x.
12 x+12 x=24 x
The polynomial in standard form is: 16 x^2+24 x+9.
5. Expand the polynomial and simplify.
(x-4)(2 x+1)(3 x-2)
Using the multiplication grid to expand:
You can also use the distributive property, but in this case the multiplication grid organizes all the terms better.
6. Expand the polynomial and simplify.
(x+3)^2(2 x-1)
Using the multiplication grid to expand:
(x+3)^2=(x+3)(x+3)
You can use the distributive property to expand too.
Yes, you can solve polynomial equations using several strategies such as factoring, graphing, synthetic division, and/or using long division.
A rational function is a ratio (or quotient) of polynomials where the polynomial in the denominator cannot be equal to 0, for example divide polynomials p and q (\frac{polynomial \text { p }} {polynomial \text { q }}), where polynomial q β 0.
The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra states that polynomial equations of degree n where n \geq 1 with complex number coefficients has at least one root in the complex number system.
No, polynomials have only non-negative integer exponents and 0.
A zero polynomial is a polynomial that has 0 βs as its coefficients.
Yes, a quadratic equation is a polynomial equation with the highest degree of 2.
Yes, linear equations are polynomials equations with degree 1.
No, exponential functions are not polynomials because the exponent is not always a whole number.
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