Vocabulary of polynomials

Coefficient: Number before a variable

Base: The variable after a coefficient

Variable: An unknown number shown by a letter

Term: A number or variable/the sum of a number and variable

Like terms: Two or more terms with the same base

Polynomials: An expression made up of terms that are added or subtracted

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Monomial: 1 term | 6x²

Binomial:   2 terms | 3a² – 5

Trinomial:  3 terms | –w² – 5w + 1

Polynomial: 4+ terms | 2s² – t² + st + 7t – 4

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Addition

Only like terms can be added

(1x + 2x² – 3x)+(1x + 3x² + 2x)

1x, 3x, 1x and 2x are like terms

1x + 3x +1x + 2x = 7x

2x²  and 3x² are like terms

2x² + 3x²  = 5x²

= 7x + 5x²

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Subtraction

Only like terms can be subtracted

(4x – 3x²)-(1x² + 2x)

= 4x – 2x = 2x

= 3x² – 1x²  = 2x²

= 2x – 2x²

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Multiplication

Using the distributive property, we multiply the monomial with each term in the polinomial.

(3x)(3x x 2x x 5x)

Multiply each term by the monomial

(9x² + 6x² + 15x)

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Division

Distributive property still applies

6x ÷ 2x = 3

4x ÷ 2x = 2

3+2

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Reflection