Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 1

Conventional definition of a polynomial

 an expression consisting of
variables and coefficients that
involves only the operations of
addition, subtraction, multiplication,
and non-negative integer
exponentiation of variables –

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 2

Standard form: When the terms of
a polynomial are arranged from the
largest exponent to the smallest
exponent (decreasing order).
The leading coefficient, the
coefficient of the first term in a
polynomial written in standard form,
should be positive.
Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 3
 Polynomial in standard form
A polynomial is in standard form
when the terms are arranged from the
highest degree to the lowest degree.
2𝑥 + 7 + 3𝑥2 is a polynomial

3𝑥2 + 2𝑥 + 7 (standard form)

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 4

Simplifying Polynomials

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 5

 Definition: Like Terms
Like terms are those that contain the same
set of distinct variable factors and each of
which corresponding exponents are also
respectively equal.
Note: Without loss of generality and
unless otherwise specified, the words term
and monomial shall be used
interchangeably all throughout this lesson.

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 6

 Like Terms
Like Terms refers to monomials that have the
same variable(s) but may have different
coefficients. The variables in the terms must
have the same exponents/powers.

Which terms are like? 3a2b, 4ab2, 3ab, -5ab2

4ab2 and -5ab2 are like.
Even though the others have the same variables,
the exponents are not the same.
3a2b = 3aab, which is different from 4ab 2 = 4abb.
Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 7
 Like Terms
Constants are like terms.

Which terms are like? 2x, -3, 5b, 0

-3 and 0 are like.

Which terms are like? 3x, 2x 2, 4, x

3x and x are like.

Which terms are like? 2wx, w, 3x, 4xw

2wx and 4xw are like.

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 8

 Combining Like Terms
Like terms are terms that contain exactly the same
variables raised to exactly the same powers.
Warning!
Only like terms can be combined through addition and
subtraction.
Example
Combine like terms to simplify.
x2y + xy – y + 10x2y – 2y + xy
= x2y + 10x2y + xy + xy – y – 2y (Like terms are grouped together)
= (1 + 10)x2y + (1 + 1)xy + (– 1 – 2)y = 11x2y + 2xy – 3y
Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 9
 EXERCISES:
In each of the following pairs, state and combine
like terms, otherwise, explain why said pair are
unlike terms.

1.2𝑥 and 𝑥

Answer: Like terms. They share the same variable 𝑥

both of which are of degree 1. Thus, 2𝑥 + 𝑥 = 2 ∙ 𝑥 +
1 ∙ 𝑥 = 3𝑥

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 10

2) 2𝑥 and 2y
Answer: Unlike terms. Clearly, 𝑥 and 𝑦 are different
variables.

3) 7𝑥 and 7𝑥2
Answer: Unlike terms. Though they share the same
variable 𝑥, the degree of 7𝑥 is 1 while the degree of 7 𝑥2
is 2.

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 11

4) 3𝑚𝑛2 and 4𝑛2𝑚
Answer: Like terms. Commutative property of
multiplication allows us to rewrite 4𝑛2𝑚 into 4𝑚𝑛2.
Here, 3𝑚𝑛2 + 4𝑛2𝑚 = 3𝑚𝑛2 + 4𝑚𝑛2 = 7𝑚𝑛2.

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 12

 EXERCISES:
Simplify the following by combining like
terms. Write your final answer in standard
form.
1. 𝑎2 + 𝑏 + 𝑎2 + 𝑏2 + 𝑏
Answer: = 2𝑎2 + 𝑏2 + 2𝑏

2. (2𝑥)2 + 4𝑦 − 𝑥2 − y
Answer: = 3𝑥2 + 3𝑦
Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 13
 EXERCISES:
3. −(𝑚𝑛)2 + 4𝑛 + 2𝑚𝑛2 + 2𝑚2𝑛2
Answer: = 𝑚2𝑛2 + 2𝑚𝑛2 + 4𝑛

4. (−𝑥𝑦)2(−𝑥𝑦2)
Answer: = −𝑥3𝑦4
5. (𝑥𝑦2)3(𝑥2𝑦)2 + (𝑥3𝑦4)(𝑥2𝑦2)2
Answer: = 2𝑥7𝑦8
Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 14
Evaluating Polynomials

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 15

 Evaluating Polynomials
Evaluating a polynomial is finding the numerical value
of said polynomial in the instance that corresponding
specific values of its respective variable components
are given.

We need only to substitute the specified given values of

the variables every time they appear in the polynomial,
and apply the usual order of operations, (GEMDAS), to
find the resulting value for the expression.

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 16

 Evaluating Polynomials
Evaluating a polynomial for a particular value
involves replacing the value for the variable(s)
involved.
Example 1
Find the value of 2x3 – 3x + 4 when x = 2.
2x3 – 3x + 4 = 2( 2)3 – 3( 2) + 4
= 2( 8) + 6 + 4
=6

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 17

 Evaluating Polynomials

2) 4x3 – 5x2 + 7.
Find the value if x = 2.

= 4x3 – 5x2 + 7

= 4 • 23 – 5 • 22 + 7
= 4•8 – 5•4 + 7
= 32 – 20 + 7
= 19

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 18

 Evaluating Polynomials

3) 4x3 – 5x2 + 7.
Find the value if x = - 3.

= 4x3 – 5x2 + 7

= 4 • (–3)3 – 5 • (–3)2 + 7
= 4 • (–27) – 5•9 + 7
= –108 – 45 + 7
= –146

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 19

 Evaluating Polynomials

4) Evaluate 2𝑥3 − 2𝑥 + 1 when 𝑥 = −1.

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 20

 Evaluating Polynomials

5) Evaluate 3𝑥𝑦 + 𝑥2 − 2𝑥𝑦2 when 𝑥 = 2

and 𝑦 = −3 .

Martin-Gay, Developmental Mathematics 21