Polynomial Expressions

A polynomial expression P(x) is an expression of the form:

Here is an example of a polynomial expression:

Parts of a polynomial expression:

Degree - The highest exponent in the polynomial expression.

Leading Term - The term with the highest exponent in the polynomial expression.
Leading Coefficient - The numerical coefficient of the leading term.
Constant Term - The term without a variable.

A polynomial expression does not have:

- A variable in the denominator. Ex:
- Negative exponents. Ex:

- Fractional exponents. Ex:

- A variable under a radical sign. Ex:

A polynomial expression is said to be in standard form when the exponents are in

descending order.
This polynomial is in standard form:

While this polynomial is not in standard form:

Dividing Polynomials: 2 Methods

There are 2 methods in dividing polynomials:
- Long Division
- Synthetic Division

Dividing Polynomials: Long Division

Dividing using the Long Division Algorithm (LDA) is similar to dividing whole numbers.
Here is a visual example of how LDA is done:
How to perform LDA:
Step 1: Check if the dividend is in standard form. If it isn’t, arrange it.
Step 2: Divide the leading terms of the dividend and the divisor.
Step 3: Multiply the divisor and the result from Step 2.
Step 4: Subtract the result from the dividend.
Step 5: Bring down the next term of the dividend to the bottom of the remainder.
Step 6: Repeat Steps 2-5 until there are no more terms to bring down.

Tips & Additional Info:

- Check for missing terms. If there are any, add them with a coefficient of 0. Ex:

- If there is a remainder, add it to the quotient in the form .

Dividing Polynomials: Synthetic Division

An easier way to divide polynomials is by using the Synthetic Division Algorithm (SDA).
SDA uses the coefficients of the terms to find the quotient.
Here is a visual example of how SDA is done:
How to perform SDA:
Step 1: Check if the dividend is in standard form. If it isn’t, arrange it.
Step 2: Bring down the leading coefficient.
Step 3: Multiply the coefficient by the divisor.
Step 4: Add the terms of the next column.
Step 5: Repeat Steps 3 & 4 for the remaining columns.

Tips & Additional Info:

- Missing terms have 0 as their coefficient.
- SDA works well when the divisor is a binomial. For divisors with a degree of at least 2, see
this video: Dividing a Polynomial by a Trinomial Using Synthetic Division

Remainder Theorem and Factor Theorem

The Remainder Theorem

In other words, you can find the remainder of a polynomial simply by substituting r to
it.
 The Factor Theorem

Rational Root Theorem

How to find the roots of a polynomial function:

Step 1: Check if the polynomial is in standard form.

Step 2: List all the possible rational roots of the polynomial using Rational Root
Theorem.
Step 3: Test if is a root of the polynomial using any division method. (SDA is
best)
 Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
A polynomial equation of degree n has at most n real roots.

Graphs of Polynomial Functions

X-intercept - Value of x when y = 0 (basically, the x-intercepts are the roots of a
polynomial function)
Y-intercept - Value of y when x = 0 (where the graph passes the y-axis)

Here’s a table showing the end behaviours of polynomial functions:

Leading Coefficient Degree (even/odd) End Behaviour (left Possible Sketch
(positive/negative) side, right side)

Positive Even Rising Rising Parabola

Positive Odd Falling Rising Stretchy S
Negative Even Falling Falling Upside-down parabola

Negative Odd Rising Falling Upside-down, stretchy S

“What about multiplicities?”

Roots with:
Odd multiplicity - flattens a bit at one point, then continues going into the same
direction.
Even multiplicity - flattens a bit at one point, then it bounces back (like a parabola).

A polynomial function of degree n has at most n-1 turning points.

 Circles
A circle is a closed figure in which the set of all the points in a plane is equidistant
from a point called the center.

Radius - A line segment whose endpoints are the center and a point on the circle.
Diameter - A line segment whose endpoints are on the circle. It passes through the
center.
Chord - A line segment whose endpoints are on the circle. It does not pass through
the center.
Secant - A line that intersects a circle in two points.
Tangent - A line that intersects a circle in one point. This intersection point is called
the point of tangency.
Semicircle - Half of a circle (Also an arc that is exactly 180 degrees)
Arc - Part of the circumference of a circle.
Minor arc - An arc less than 180 degrees
Major arc - An arc greater than 180 degrees
Central angle - An angle whose vertex is the center of the circle.
Inscribed angle - An angle whose vertex is on the circle.
Stuffs I wanna say (and some disclaimers)
This is basically everything that was taught for this quarter (at least in my section). I just
wanna clear one thing: This will not guarantee you a 60/60 score in the actual test. You gotta do
some self-study. Practice makes progress. Also, apologies if I missed something. I do encourage
you to go to YouTube if you want additional information though.

“How often we forget… Faith without works is… MORTIS!”

- John Ward, Faith: Chapter III

Reviewer made by Hanz Lui Reyes of 10-Humility. Print this if you want, just don’t remove this credit.