Copyright 2013, 2009, 2005, 2002 Pearson, Education, Inc.

5.3

Polynomials and
Polynomial
Functions
 Polynomial Vocabulary
Term a number or a product of a number and
variables raised to powers
Coefficient numerical factor of a term
Constant term which is only a number
Polynomial a sum of terms involving variables
raised to a whole number exponent, with no
variables appearing in any denominator.
 Polynomial Vocabulary
In the polynomial 7x5 + x2y2 4xy + 7
There are 4 terms: 7x5, x2y2, -4xy and 7.
The coefficient of term 7x5 is 7,
of term x2y2 is 1,
of term 4xy is 4 and
of term 7 is 7.
7 is a constant term.
 Types of Polynomials

Monomial is a polynomial with one term.

Binomial is a polynomial with two terms.

Trinomial is a polynomial with three terms.

 Degrees
Degree of a term
The degree of a term is the sum of the
exponents on the variables contained in the
term.
Degree of a constant is 0.
Degree of the term 5a4b3c is 8 (remember
that c can be written as c1).
 Degrees
Degree of a polynomial
The degree of a polynomial is the greatest
degree of all its terms.

Degree of 9x3 4x2 + 7 is 3.

 Evaluating Polynomials
Evaluating a polynomial for a particular value involves
replacing the value for the variable(s) involved.

Example:
Find the value of 2x3 3x + 4 when x = 2.

2x3 3x + 4 = 2(2)3 3(2) + 4

= 2(8) + 6 + 4
= 6
 Combining Like Terms
Like terms are terms that contain exactly the same
variables raised to exactly the same powers.
Warning!
Only like terms can be combined through addition and
subtraction.
Example:
Combine like terms to simplify.
x2y + xy y + 10x2y 2y + xy
= x2y + 10x2y + xy + xy y 2y (Like terms are grouped
together)
= (1 + 10)x2y + (1 + 1)xy + ( 1 2)y = 11x2y + 2xy 3y
 Adding Polynomials

To Add Polynomials
To add polynomials, combine all like terms.
 Example
Add: (3x 8) + (4x2 3x + 3).

(3x 8) + (4x2 3x + 3) = 3x 8 + 4x2 3x + 3

= 4x2 + 3x 3x 8 + 3
= 4x2 5
 Example
Add: 8 y
3
4 y 5 and 5 y 1 using a vertical
2 2

format.

8y 4y 5
3 2

5y 12

8y y 6
3 2
 Subtracting Polynomials

To Subtract Polynomials
To subtract a polynomial, add its opposite.
 Example

Subtract 4 ( y 4).
4 ( y 4) = 4 + y + 4
= y+4+4
= y+8
 Example

Subtract ( a2 + 1) (a2 3) + (5a2 6a + 7).

( a2 + 1) (a2 3) + (5a2 6a + 7)

= a2 + 1 a2 + 3 + 5a2 6a + 7

= a2 a2 + 5a2 6a + 1 + 3 + 7

= 3a2 6a + 11
 Example
Subtract: (2 x
3
8 x 7 x ) (3x 2 x 3)
2 3 2

(2 x 8 x 7 x ) (3 x 2 x 3)
3 2 3 2

(2 x 8 x 7 x ) ( 3 x 2 x 3)
3 2 3 2

2 x 8 x 7 x 3x 2 x 3
3 2 3 2

x 3 10 x 2 7 x 3
 Example
Subtract:
(9a b 7ab 4ab ) (6b a 3ab 4 10b )
2 2 2 2 2

9a 2b 2 7ab 4ab 2 6b 2a 3ab 4 10b 2

9a b 4ab 4ab 10b 4
2 2 2 2
 Types of Polynomials

Using the degree of a polynomial, we can determine what the

general shape of the function will be, before we ever graph the
function.
A polynomial function of degree 1 is a linear function. We have
examined the graphs of linear functions in great detail previously
in this course and prior courses.
A polynomial function of degree 2 is a quadratic function.
In general, for the quadratic equation of the form y = ax2 + bx +
c, the graph is a parabola opening up when a > 0, and opening
down when a < 0.

a>0 a<0
x x
 Types of Polynomials

Polynomial functions of degree 3 are cubic functions.

Cubic functions have four different forms, depending on
the coefficient of the x3 term.

x3 coefficient
x coefficient
3
is negative
is positive