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Polynomial Operations and Theorems

Vocabulary

binomial

polynomial expression consisting of two terms

complex zero

zero, where aa and bb are real numbers and i=1i=\sqrt{-1}, written in the form:
a+bia + bi

degree of a polynomial

greatest degree of a term in a polynomial

degree of a term

exponent of the variable of a term in a polynomial in one variable

factoring

process of writing a number or algebraic expression as a product

leading coefficient

coefficient of the first term of a polynomial written in standard form, which places the term with the highest degree first

like terms

terms that have the same variable (or variables) with the same exponents

monomial

polynomial expression consisting of one term

polynomial function

function whose rule is a polynomial in one variable, which is a sum or difference of terms of the form axnax^n, where aa is a real number and nn is a nonnegative integer

polynomial in one variable

sum or difference of terms of the form axnax^n, where aa is a real number and nn is a nonnegative integer

synthetic division

process of long division of polynomials where only the coefficients and constants are recorded. The divisor must be a linear factor with a coefficient of 1.

trinomial

polynomial expression consisting of three terms

zero of a function

any input value of a function that makes the output of the function equal zero