1.

6: Polynomials and Their Operations

Learning Objectives
Identify a polynomial and determine its degree.
Add and subtract polynomials.
Multiply and divide polynomials.

Definitions
112
A polynomial is a special algebraic expression with terms that consist of real number coefficients and variable
factors with whole number exponents. Some examples of polynomials follow:
Table 3
3 21
1.6.1 2x x 26x y − 4x + 7
3x2 7xy + 5 + 3 − x + 1 113 2 3
y

The degree of a term in a polynomial is defined to be the exponent of the variable, or if there is more than one
variable in 0 x0
x=1
the term, the degree is the sum of their exponents. Recall that ; any constant term can be written as a product of and
0
itself. Hence the degree of a constant term is .
Table 1.6.2
Term Degree

3x2 2
6x y2 2 + 1 = 3
7a2b3 2 + 3 = 5
8 0 8 = 8x0
, since

2x 1 2x = 2x1
, since

114
The degree of a polynomial is the largest degree of all of its terms.
Table 1.6.3
5 3
Polynomial Degree x 5 4x − 3 + 2x − 1
2
y3 4 5xy3 4
6x y − 5x + 7 , because has degree .
1
x + 2541 x =
1
1
, because 2
2x
1

115
anxn an
Of particular interest are polynomials with one variable , where each term is of the form . Here is any real number
n
and is any whole number. Such polynomials have the standard form:
anxn +an−1xn−1 +⋯+a1x +a0
116
Typically, we arrange terms of polynomials in descending order based on the degree of each term. The leading
coefficient an
is the coefficient of the variable with the highest power, in this case, .
 Example 1.6.1:
2 3 4
x x
3x −4x +5 +7 −2
Write in standard form: .
Solution
Since terms are defined to be separated by addition, we write the following:
2 3 4
x x
3x −4x +5 +7 −2
2 3 4
x x
= 3x +(−4)x +5 +7 +(−2)

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1.6.1

In this form, we can see that the subtraction in the original corresponds to
negative coefficients. Because addition is commutative, we can write the terms in descending order based on the
degree as follows:
4 3 2
x x
= (−2)x +5 +(−4) +3x +7
4 3 2
x x
= −2x +5 −4 +3x +7
Answer:
4 3 2
x x
−2x +5 −4 +3x +7

We classify polynomials by the number of terms and the degree:

Table 1.6.4
7 117
Expression Classification Degree 5x 7 Monomial (one term)

6 118
6
8x − 1 Binomial (two terms)
2 119
2
−3x + x − 1 Trinomial (three terms)
3 2
x 3
5x − 2 + 3x − 6 Polynomial (many terms)

We can further classify polynomials with one variable by their degree:

Table 1.6.5
Polynomial Name 5120 0 Constant (degree )

2x + 1121 1 Linear (degree )

2 122
2
3x + 5x − 3 Quadratic (degree )
3
x2 123 3
x++x+1 x 4 3 Fourth-degree polynomial

7x + 3 − 7x + 8
Cubic (degree ) n≥4n4
In this text, we call any polynomial of degree an th-degree polynomial. In other words, if the degree is , we call the 5
polynomial a fourth-degree polynomial. If the degree is , we call it a fifth-degree polynomial, and so on.

Example 1.6.2
25 +4x −x2
 State whether the following polynomial is linear or quadratic and give the leading coefficient: .
Solution
2
The highest power is ; therefore, it is a quadratic polynomial. Rewriting in standard form
we have 2
−x +4x +25
2 2
x −1
−x = −1
Here and thus the leading coefficient is .
Answer:
Quadratic; leading coefficient: −1

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

+(a+b) −(a+b)
We begin by simplifying algebraic expressions that look like or . Here, the coefficients are actually implied +1 −1
to be and respectively and therefore the distributive property applies. Multiply each term within the parentheses by
these factors as follows:
+(a+b) = +1(a+b) = (+1)a+(+1)b = a+b
−(a+b) = −1(a+b) = (−1)a+(−1)b = −a−b
Use this idea as a means to eliminate parentheses when adding and subtracting polynomials.

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1.6.2

Example 1.6.3:
2 2
x
9x +( −5)
Add: .
Solution
+(a+b) = a+b
The property allows us to eliminate the parentheses, after which we can then combine like terms. 2 x2 = 9x
+ −5

Answer: Example 1.6.4: 2 2

x
2 2 2 2 2 2
y xy = 10x −5
10x −5
9x +( −5)

(3x −4xy +9)+(2 −6xy −7)

Add: .
Solution
Remember that the variable parts have to be exactly the same before we can add the
coefficients. 2y2 x2y2
(3x −4xy +9)+(2 −6xy −7)
2 2
= 3x y − + + − −
 – – – – 9–– 2 2
– – – – –2x y
2 2 – – – – 7––
––––––4xy y ––––––6xy – – – – –

Answer: 5x −10xy +2
2 2 = 5x −10xy +2
y

When subtracting polynomials, the parentheses become very important.

Example 1.6.5:
2 2
x
4x −(3 +5x)
Subtract: .
Solution
−(a+b) = −a−b
The property allows us to remove the parentheses after subtracting each term. 2x2 = 4x −3
−5x
4x −(3 +5x) 2 2 2
x
= x −5x
Answer:
2
x −5x

−1
Subtracting a quantity is equivalent to multiplying it by .

Example 1.6.6:
2 2 2 2
y x y
(3x −2xy + )−(2 −xy +3 )
Subtract: .
Solution
−1 −1
Distribute the , remove the parentheses, and then combine like terms. Multiplying the terms of a polynomial
by changes all the signs.

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1.6.3

Figure 1.6.1
2 2 2 2
y x y
= 3x −2xy + −2 +xy −3
2 2
y
 = x −xy −2
Answer:
2 2
y
x −xy −2

Exercise 1.6.1
2
b2 a2 b2
(7a −2ab + )−( −2ab +5 )
Subtract: .

Answer
2
b2
6a −4
www.youtube.com/v/IDtREB_PQ3A

Multiplying Polynomials
xm ⋅ xn = xm+n
Use the product rule for exponents, , to multiply a monomial times a polynomial. In other words, when multiplying
two expressions with the same base, add the exponents. To find the product of monomials, multiply the coefficients
and add the exponents of variable factors with the same base. For example,
4 3
x = 7 ⋅ 8 ⋅ x ⋅ Commutative property
7x ⋅ 8 4+3
4 3
x = 56x Product rule for exponents = 56x7

To multiply a polynomial by a monomial, apply the distributive property, and then simplify each term.

Example 1.6.7:
2 2 2
xy
5xy (2 −xy +1)
Multiply: .
Solution
Apply the distributive property and then simplify.

Figure 1.6.2

Answer: 2 2 2 2 2
xy y y
3 4 2 3 2
y x y y 10x −5 +5x = 5xy ⋅2 −5x ⋅xy +5x ⋅1 3y4 x2y3 y2
= 10x −5 +5x

To summarize, multiplying a polynomial by a monomial involves the distributive property and the product rule for
exponents. Multiply all of the terms of the polynomial by the monomial. For each term, multiply the coefficients and
add exponents of variables where the bases are the same.
In the same manner that we used the distributive property to distribute a monomial, we use it to distribute a binomial.
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1.6.4

(a+b)(c +d) = (a+b)⋅c +(a+b)⋅d

= ac +bc +ad +bd
= ac +ad +bc +bd
Here we apply the distributive property multiple times to produce the final result. This same result is obtained in one
step if we a b
apply the distributive property to and separately as follows:

Figure 1.6.3
This is often called the FOIL method. Multiply the first, outer, inner, and then last terms.

Example 1.6.8:
(6x −1)(3x −5)
Multiply: .
Solution
6x −1
Distribute and and then combine like terms.
(6x −1)(3x −5) = 6x⋅3x −6x⋅5 +(−1)⋅ 3x −(−1)⋅ 5
2
= 18x −30x −3x +5
2
= 18x −33x +5
Answer:
2
18x −33x +5

Consider the following two calculations:

Table = a + 2ab + 124

(a + b)2 = (a + b)(a + b) 1.6.6

2 2 (a − b)2 = (a − b)(a − b) 2b2
b
= a + ab + ba + = a − ab − ba +
= a2 + ab + ab + b2 = a2 − ab − ab + b2
2 2
2 2
b b
= a − 2ab +

This leads us to two formulas that describe perfect square

trinomials : (a+b)2 =
a2 +2ab +b2
(a−b)2 = a2 −2ab +b2
We can use these formulas to quickly square a binomial.

Example 1.6.9:
Multiply: Solution (3x +5)2

a = 3x b = 5
Here and . Apply the formula:
Figure Answer:
1.6.4

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1.6.5

9x +30x +25

This process should become routine enough to be performed mentally. Our third special
product follows: 2b2
(a+b)(a−b) = a −ab +ba−
2 2
b
= a −ab +ab−
= a2 −b2
125
This product is called difference of squares :
(a+b)(a−b) = a2 −b2
(a+b) (a−b)126
The binomials and are called conjugate binomials . When multiplying conjugate binomials the middle terms are
opposites and their sum is zero; the product is itself a binomial.

Example 1.6.10:
(3xy +1)(3xy −1)
Multiply: .
Solution
(3xy +1)(3xy −1) = (3xy)2 −3xy +3xy −12
2 2
y
= 9x −1
Answer:
2 2
y
9x −1

Exercise 1.6.2
2 2 2 2
y x y
(x +5 ) ( −5 )
Multiply: .

Answer
4 4
y
(x −25 )
www.youtube.com/v/p7R3FdPp6_s

Example 1.6.11:
(5x −2)3
 Multiply: .
Solution
Here we perform one product at a time.

Figure 2 2
x
Answer: 125x −150 +60x −8
1.6.5

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1.6.6

Dividing Polynomials
xm
n m−n
x x
=
Use the quotient rule for exponents, , to divide a polynomial by a monomial. In other words, when dividing two
expressions with the same base, subtract the exponents. In this section, we will assume that all variables in the
denominator are nonzero.

Example 1.6.12:
24x7y5
Divide: .
8x3y2

Solution
Divide the coefficients and apply the quotient rule by subtracting the exponents of the like bases.
24x7y5
2 24
8x3y = 8x7−3y5−2
= 3x4y3
Answer:
3x4y3

When dividing a polynomial by a monomial, we may treat the monomial as a common denominator and break up the
fraction using the following property:
a+b c =+c bc
a

Applying this property will result in terms that can be treated as quotients of monomials.

Example 1.6.13:
4 3 2
x x
−5x +25 −15
Divide: .
5x2
 Solution
Break up the fraction by dividing each term in the numerator by the monomial in the denominator, and then
simplify each term.
4 3 2
x x −5x +25 −15 5x4 25x3 15x2
2
5x =−+−
5x2 5 5x2 5x2
4−2 25 3−2 15 2−2
5x 5x 5x
=−+−
2 1 0
x x
= −1x +5 −3
2
= −x +5x −3 ⋅ 1
Answer:
2
−x +5x −3

We can check our division by multiplying our answer, the quotient, by the monomial in the denominator, the divisor,
to see if we obtain the original numerator, the dividend.
Table −5x4+25x3−15x2
2
= Quotient Dividend 5x x2
1.6.7
Divisor = − + 5x − 3
or or
4
x3 x2 x2 x2
Dividend = Divisor ⋅ Quotient −5x + 25 − 15 = 5 (− + 5x − 3)

The same technique outlined for dividing by a monomial does not work for polynomials with two or more terms in the
127
denominator. In this section, we will outline a process called polynomial long division , which is based on the division

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1.6.7

algorithm for real numbers. For the sake of clarity, we will assume that all
expressions in the denominator are nonzero.

Example 1.6.14:
3 2
x
x +3 −8x−4
Divide :
x−2

Solution
3 2
x
x −2 x +3 −8x −4
Here is the divisor and is the dividend. To determine the first term of the quotient, divide the leading term of the
dividend by the leading term of the divisor.

Figure 1.6.6
Multiply the first term of the quotient by the divisor, remembering to distribute, and line up like terms with the
dividend.
Figure 1.6.7
Subtract the resulting quantity from the dividend. Take care to subtract both terms.

Figure Bring down the remaining terms and repeat the process.
1.6.8

Figure 1.6.9
Notice that the leading term is eliminated and that the result has a degree that is one less. The complete
process is illustrated below:

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1.6.8

Figure 1.6.10
Polynomial long division ends when the degree of the remainder is less than the degree of the divisor. Here, the
 remainder 0
is . Therefore, the binomial divides the polynomial evenly and the answer is the quotient shown above the
division bar. 3 x2
x +3 −8x−4
2
x−2 x
= +5x +2
To check the answer, multiply the divisor by the quotient to see if you obtain the dividend as
illustrated below: 3 x2 x2
x +3 −8x −4 = (x −2) ( +5x +2)
This is left to the reader as an exercise.
Answer:
2
x +5x +2

Next, we demonstrate the case where there is a nonzero remainder.

Figure 1.6.11
Just as with real numbers, the final answer adds to the quotient the fraction where the remainder is the numerator
and the divisor is the denominator. In general, when dividing we have:
Dividend Remainder
Divisor If we multiply both sides by the divisor = Quotient+
we obtain, Divisor

Dividend = Quotient×Divisor+Remainder

Example 1.6.15:
2
6x −5x+3
Divide: .
2x−1

Solution
Since the denominator is a binomial, begin by setting up polynomial long division.

Figure 1.6.12

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1.6.9

2x −1 6x2
To start, determine what monomial times results in a leading term .This is the quotient of the given leading 2 3x
2x −1
(6x )÷(2x) = 3x
terms: . Multiply times the divisor , and line up the result with like terms of the dividend.
Figure +3
1.6.13
Subtract the result from the dividend and bring down the constant term .

Figure 1.6.14
2x −1 −1
Subtracting eliminates the leading term. Multiply by and line up the result.

Figure Subtract again and notice that we are left with a remainder.
1.6.15

1.6.16 20
Figure
The constant term has degree and thus the division ends.
Therefore, 2
6x −5x+3 = 3x −1+ 2
2x−1 To check that this result is correct, we multiply as follows:
2x−1

quotient×divisor+remainder=(3x −1)(2x −1)+2

2
= 6x −3x −2x +1 +2
2
= 6x −5x +2 = dividend ✓
Answer:
3x −1 + 2
2x−1

Occasionally, some of the powers of the variables appear to be missing within a polynomial. This can lead to errors
when lining up like terms. Therefore, when first learning how to divide polynomials using long division, fill in the
missing terms 128
with zero coefficients, called placeholders .
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1.6.10

Example 1.6.16:
3
27x +64
Divide: .
3x+4

Solution
21
Notice that the binomial in the numerator does not have terms with degree or . The division is simplified if we
rewrite the expression with placeholders:
3 3 2
x x
27x +64 = 27 +0 +0x+64
Set up polynomial long division:

Figure 1.6.17
We begin with 27x3÷3x=9x2 and work the rest of the division algorithm.

Figure Example 1.6.17:

Answer: 4
x3 x2
3x −2 +6 +23x−7
2
9x −12x +16 Divide: .
x2−2x+5

Solution
1.6.18

Figure 1.6.19 4 2 2
x x 3x ÷ = 3

Begin the process by dividing the leading terms to determine the leading term of the quotient . Take care 2
to distribute and line up the like terms. Continue the process until the remainder has a degree less than .
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1.6.11

1.6.20 x −2
Figure
The remainder is . Write the answer with the remainder:
4
x3 x2
3x −2 +6 +23x−7
2 x−2
2 x
x −2x+5 Answer: 2
x −2x+5
= 3 +4x −1 +

3x2 +4x −1 +x−2

2
x −2x+5

Polynomial long division takes time and practice to master. Work lots of problems and remember that you may
check your answers by multiplying the quotient by the divisor (and adding the remainder if present) to obtain the
dividend.

Exercise 1.6.3
4 3 2
x x
6x −13 +9 −14x+6
Divide: .
3x−2

Answer
2x3 −3x2 +x −4 −2
3x−2
www.youtube.com/v/K9NRVMreKAQ

Key Takeaways
Polynomials are special algebraic expressions where the terms are the products of real numbers and variables
with whole number exponents.
The degree of a polynomial with one variable is the largest exponent of the variable found in any term. In
addition, the terms of a polynomial are typically arranged in descending order based on the degree of each term.
When adding polynomials, remove the associated parentheses and then combine like terms. When subtracting
polynomials, −1
distribute the , remove the parentheses, and then combine like terms.
To multiply polynomials apply the distributive property; multiply each term in the first polynomial with each term in
the second polynomial. Then combine like terms.
When dividing by a monomial, divide all terms in the numerator by the monomial and then simplify
each term. When dividing a polynomial by another polynomial, apply the division algorithm.
 Exercise 1.6.4
Write the given polynomials in standard form.
1. 2. 3. 4. y −5 +y2
1 −x −x2 y −3y2 +5 −y3 2 a3
8 −12a + −a

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1.6.12

5. 6. 2 −x2 +6x −5x3 +x4 3 a2 a4 a5

a −5 + +2 − +6a

Answer 2
1. 3. 5. −y −3 +y +5 4 x3 x2
−x −x +1 x −5 − +6x +2
3 2
y

Exercise 1.6.5
Classify the given polynomial as a monomial, binomial, or trinomial and state the
degree. 2
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. 7. Trinomial; degree
x −x +2
5 −10x3 2
2 2
y 3. Trinomial; degree
x +5xy −6 −2x3y2 4
4
x −1 5. Binomial; degree Exercise 1.6.6
5

Answer
4

State whether the polynomial is linear or quadratic and give the leading coefficient.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 100x
2
1 −9x2
5x +3x −1 x −1
10x2
x −6 −2x2 1 −5x
2x −3

Answer −9
1. Quadratic,
3. Linear, 2
5. Quadratic, Exercise 1.6.7
5
7. Quadratic,
−2

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. (x +7x −12)+(2 −x +3) 2 x2

2 2
x (x +5x +10)+( −10) 2
(5x −3x −2)+(2 −6x +7) 2 x2 (x −1)+(4x +2)
2 2
x (10x +3x −2)−( −6x +1)

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1.6.13

2 2
x
6. 2 2
b a2b2
7. (a +5ab −2)+(7ab −2)−(4 − ) 2 b2 a2 b2
8. (a +9ab −6 )−( − )+7ab
2 2 2 2
9. y x y
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. (10x y −8xy +5x )−( y −4xy)+(x +4xy) 2 n2 m2 m2
(x −3x −8)−(2 −3x −8) (2m n−6mn+9m )−( n+10mn)− n 2y2 x2y2
23 1 25 1
3x 4 6x 2 2 (8x −5xy +2)−( +5)+(2xy −3) 2 y2 x2 y2 x2
2
( + x −1)−( + x − ) (x − )−(5 −2xy − )−( −7xy) 6a2 34b2 53a2 45b2 118
1
4
2 5 10 3 22 3 ( −2ab + )−( + )+ ab 2 x2 y2 75 x2 1273y2 12
5 x 8 6 10 x 3 5
5
( − x + )−( − x + )
2 2 2 2
( −2 )−( − xy + )− xy 2n xn x2n xn
y xy (x +5 −2)+(2 −3 −1)
(x +7xy −5)−(2 +5xy −4) 2n n 2n n
2 2 2 2 x x x
y x y (7x − +5)−(6 − −8)
(x − )−( +6xy + ) 2
4y −3 y +7y −10
21. Subtract from . 2 2x +4x −1
x +3x −2 2
22. Subtract from .
h=r
23. A right circular cylinder has a height that is equal to the radius of the base, . Find a formula for the surface
area h
in terms of .
3
24. A rectangular solid has a width that is twice the height and a length that is times that of the height. Find a
formula for the surface area in terms of the height.

Answer
2
1. 3. 5. 2x +5x
7x −9x +5 2 2
9x +9x −3 2 x2 7412
7. 1
− x − 2y2
9. 7x −3xy −6 3
−x +2xy −1 2b2 25 1 2
2a 8 20b
11. 13. 15. 17. 19. 21. 23. − − ab − 3
2 2 25 1 2
2a +12ab −8 y 2a 8 20b
− − ab − 2
9x y +6x
2 2
y +3y −7
y
SA = 4πh2

Exercise
1.6.8 Multiply
2
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 2x(5x −1)
−8x ⋅ 2x −4x(3x −5)
2 3 2 2
xy
7x (2x −6)
−10x y ⋅ 5 2 2
x
−3x ( −x +3) 4 y2 −5y ( −2y +3)

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1.6.14

5
3 2
2a a
8. (x −3)3
9. (x +2)3
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. (3x +1)3
26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. (2x −3)3
42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50.
(x +2)4
(24 −6a+4)
2 2
(x −3)4
y
(2x −1)4
2xy (x −7xy + )
2 2 2 (3x −1)4
a b 2n 2n
−2a b ( −3ab +5 ) x
n 2 (x +5) ( −5)
x n 2n n
x ( +x +1) x x
n 2n n (x −1) ( +4 −3) 2n2
x x
(x −1)
x ( − −1)
(x +4)(x −5) 3n2
(x +1)
(x −7)(x −6)
(2x −3)(3x −1)
(9x +1)(3x +2)
2 2 2 2
y x y
(3x − ) ( −5 )
2 2 2 2
x y x
(5y − ) (2 −3 )
(3x +5)(3x −5)
(x +6)(x −6)
2 2 2 2
b a b
(a − ) ( + )
(ab +7)(ab −7)
2 2
x
(4x −5y ) (3 −y)
(xy +5)(x −y)
2
(x −5) (x −3x +8)
2
(2x −7) (3x −x +1)
2 2
x
(x +7x −1) (2 −3x −1) 2 x2
(4x −x +6) (5 −4x −3) (x +8)2
(x −3)2
(2x −5)2
(3x +1)2
(a−3b)2
(7a−b)2
2 2
y 2
(x +2 )
22
(x −6y)
22
(a −a+5)
22
(x −3x −1)
2
3x −2 x −5x −2
51. Find the product of and . 2 x −1
x +4 3
52. Find the product of and .
3x3 x
53. Each side of a square measures units. Determine the area in terms
of . 2x2 x
54. Each edge of a cube measures units. Determine the volume in terms

of . Answer

1. −16x3

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1.6.15

3. 5. 7. 9. 2x +11 −24 −4x +1 2

10x −2x x +16x +64
3 2 2
x
4x −20x +25
14x −42
2
6 5 4 b2
y y a −6ab +9
−5y +10 −15 3 x2y2 y3 2x y −14 +2x
4 2 2 4
xy y
11. 13. 15. 17. 19. 21. 23. 25. 27. 29. 31. 33. 35. 37. 39. 41. x +4 +4
43. 45. 47. 49. 51. 4
a3
xn+2 +xn+1 +xn a −2 +11a−10a+25 3 x2
2 x −9 +27x −27
x −x −20 3 2
x
2
27x +27 +9x +1
6x −11x +3
4 3 2
4 2 2 4 x x
xy y
3x −16 +5 x +8 +24 +32x +16 4 x3 x2
2 16x −32 +24 −8x +1 4n
9x −25
x −25
a4 −b4 4n 2n
x
3 2 2 3 3 2
x y y 12x −15 −4xy +5 x x −2 +1
3 2
x −8 +23x −40 x
4 3 2 3x −17 +4x +4
x x
9x6
53. square units

Exercise 1.6.9
Divide.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 20x −12 +4x

4x
125x5y2 4 3 2
x x
25x4y2 15x −75 +18
256x2y3z5 3x2
2 2
64x y2 z2 b
3 2
x 12a b+28a −4ab 4ab
4 3 2 2 3
b a b b −2a +16 +8a

3
x2 7. 8. 9.
2ab2
x + −3x+9 x+3
3
x2 3
x2
x −4 −9x+20 x−5 6x −11 +7x−6 2x−3

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1.6.16

3
x2

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 3
x2 y2 y3
x +6 y+4x −
26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. x+y
3 2 2 3
x y y
9x −9 −x+1
2x −3 y+4x −3
3x−1
3 2 x−y
x 3 3
16x +8 −39x+17 b
4x−3 8a −
3 2 2a−b
x 3 3
12x −56 +55x+30 b
2x−5 a +27
a+3b
4 3 2
x x 10x −11x +3
6x +13 −9 −x+6
3x+2
4 3 2
x x
25x −10 +11 −7x+1
5x−1
4 3 2
x x
20x +12 +9 +10x+5
2x+1
4 3 2
x x
25x −45 −26 +36x−11
5x−2
4 2
x
3x + −1
x−2
4
x +x−3
x+3
3
x −10
x−2
3
x +15
x+3
5
y +1
y+1
6
y +1
y+1
4 3 2
x x
x −4 +6 −7x−1
2
x −x+2
4 3 2
x x
6x + −2 +2x+4
2
3x −x+1
3 2
x
2x −7 +8x−3
x2−2x+1
4 3 2
x x
2x +3 −6 −4x+3
2
x +x−3
4 3 2
x x
x +4 −2 −4x+1
x2−1
4
x +x−1 2
2 2x −1
x +1
33. Find the quotient of and . 2 3x −2
12x +x −11
34. Find the quotient of and . Answer

1. 3. 5. 7. 9. 5x −3x +1 3a+7b −1 2
5x x −2x +3 2
2
3x −x +2
11. 13. 15. 17. 19. 21. 23. 25. 4x−3
3 2
x
4x2 +5x −6 −1 2x +3 −5x +3
10x3 +x2 +4x +3 +2 2x+1 x2 −3x +1 −3
3x3 +6x2 +13x +26 +51 x−2
x2 +2x +4 −2

x−2
2
4 3 2 x −x+2
y y
y − + −y +1 2x −3

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1.6.17

27. 29. 31. 33. x +4x −1 x2 +5xy −y2 4a2 +2ab +b2 5x −3

Footnotes
112
An algebraic expression consisting of terms with real number coefficients and variables with whole number
exponents. 113
The exponent of the variable. If there is more than one variable in the term, the degree of the term is the sum their
exponents.
114
The largest degree of all of its terms.
115
anxn an n
A polynomial where each term has the form , where is any real number and is any whole number.
116
The coefficient of the term with the largest degree.
117
Polynomial with one term.
118
Polynomial with two terms.
119
Polynomial with three terms.
120
0
A polynomial with degree .
121
1
A polynomial with degree .
122
2
A polynomial with degree .
123
3
A polynomial with degree .
124 125
(a+b)2 = a2 +2ab +b2 (a−b)2 = a2 −2ab +b2 The trinomials obtained by squaring the binomials and .

(a+b)(a−b) = a2 −b2
The special product obtained by multiplying conjugate binomials .
126
(a+b) (a−b)
The binomials and .
127
The process of dividing two polynomials using the division algorithm.
128
Terms with zero coefficients used to fill in all missing exponents within a polynomial.

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1.6.18