Polynomials
Chapter 2 Polynomial Polynomial An algebraic expression can have exponents that are rational numbers. However, a polynomial is an algebraic expression in which the exponent on any variable is a whole number. 5x 3 +3x+1 is an example of a polynomial. It is an algebraic expression as well. 2x+3√x is an algebraic expression, but not a polynomial. – since the exponent on x is 1/2 which is not a whole number. Degree of a Polynomial For a polynomial in one variable – the highest exponent on the variable in a polynomial is the degree of the polynomial. Example: The degree of the polynomial x 2 +2x+3 is 2, as the highest power of x in the given expression is x2. Types Of Polynomials Polynomials can be classified based on: a) Number of terms b) Degree of the polynomial. Types of polynomials based on the number of terms a) Monomial – A polynomial with just one term. Example: 2x, 6x 2 , 9xy b) Binomial – A polynomial with two terms. Example: 4x 2 +x, 5x+4 a) Trinomial – A polynomial with three