Unit 5.2 Introduction to Polynomials & Addition and Subtraction

Monomials and Polynomials

Monomial: an expression with only 1 term (multiplication only)

Examples: x² , 6x³ , 2xy, 4x²y

Polynomial: May contain 2 or more terms separated by a plus or minus sign

Special Polynomials:

Binomial: Consisting of 2 terms with a plus or minus separating the values

Examples: (x + 4) , (x² + 3) , (x² + y²)

Trinomial: Consisting of 3 terms with a plus or minus separating the values

Examples: (x² + 3x + 4) , (x² + 2xy + 5y²)

Trinomials will take this format: Ax² + Bx + C where A, B and C are all numbers

When evaluating a polynomial, plug in the value given wherever there is a variable

Evaluating a Polynomial

for f(x) = x + 1 find f(2)

Plug in 2 wherever there is an x

f(2) = 2 + 1

f(2) = 3

When combining monomials and polynomials by addition and subtraction, only like terms can be combined (see unit 2.2 for a refresher)

Reminder: x² and x are two different variables and cannot be combined using addition or subtraction