POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION

Review:
Algebraic Expression
• a mathematical phrase combining numbers and/or variables using mathematical operations
• an expression does not contain equality or inequality signs
but may include other operators and grouping symbols
• both sides of an equation are expressions

Terms
 a single number or variable, or numbers and variables
multiplied together
 are separated by + or − signs, or sometimes by divide.

Variable
 A symbol for a value we don't know yet. It is usually a
letter like x or y
 Represented by letters

Coefficient
 refers to a number or quantity placed with a variable
 variable without a number has 1 as its coefficient

Constant
 fixed value
 represented by letters
Type of Polynomial (Number of Terms)
 Monomial = 1 term
 Binomial = 2 terms
 Trinomial = 3 terms
 Polynomial = 4 terms and above
Type of Polynomial (Degree)
 Constant Polynomial = 0
 Linear = 1
 Quadratic = 2
 Cubic = 3
 Quartic = 4
 Quintic = 5
Definition:
POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION
- is a function of the form
n
P ( x ) =an x + an−1 x
n−1
+a n−2 x
n−2
+ …+a1 x+ a0 , a ≠ 0 where n is a nonnegative integer
n a 1 , a0 , a are real
n

numbers called coefficient.

 n
a n x =leading term

 a n=leading coefficient

 a 0=constant
Example: Standard Form
P ( x ) =x 4 +2 x 3 −x2 +14 x−56
4 3 2
y=x + 2 x −x +14 x−56
n 4
a n x =leading term=x
a n=leading coefficient=1
a 0=constant =−56

Another Example:
h(x) = -3x  + 7x  - 12x + x - 2
4 3 2

n
a n x =leading term=¿
a n=leading coefficient =¿
a 0=constant =¿

Another Example:
f(b) = 4b – 6b + b – 15
2 3

n
a n x =leading term=¿
a n=leading coefficient=¿
a 0=constant =¿
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION OR NOT?
The following statements indicates that the
functions are NOT POLYNOMIAL.

1. The variable of one term is inside the

radical sign.
Ex: √3
5 x −4 2 x+ x

2. The exponents of the variable are NOT

whole numbers.
 Ex: 3 1
x 4 +3 x 4 +7 , 2
x √ 3+ √ 3 x + 7

3. The variables are in the denominator.

Ex: 1
3
2 3
+ 4+ 5
2x 3 x 5 x

4. The exponent of one variable is negative.

Ex: −4 x
−100
+4 x
100