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Important Terms, Definitions and Results: 2. Polynomials

This document defines key terms and concepts related to polynomials. It discusses: 1) The definition of a polynomial as an algebraic expression involving variables with only non-negative integral powers. 2) How to identify the coefficients and constant term of a polynomial. 3) That the highest power of the variable in a polynomial determines its degree. 4) Specific polynomial types based on degree, including linear, quadratic, cubic, and biquadratic polynomials. 5) Types of polynomials based on number of terms, including monomials, binomials, trinomials, and constant polynomials. 6) Important results regarding zeros of polynomials and factoring polynomials.

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Nilesh Agarwal
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48 views4 pages

Important Terms, Definitions and Results: 2. Polynomials

This document defines key terms and concepts related to polynomials. It discusses: 1) The definition of a polynomial as an algebraic expression involving variables with only non-negative integral powers. 2) How to identify the coefficients and constant term of a polynomial. 3) That the highest power of the variable in a polynomial determines its degree. 4) Specific polynomial types based on degree, including linear, quadratic, cubic, and biquadratic polynomials. 5) Types of polynomials based on number of terms, including monomials, binomials, trinomials, and constant polynomials. 6) Important results regarding zeros of polynomials and factoring polynomials.

Uploaded by

Nilesh Agarwal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2.

POLYNOMIALS

Important terms, Definitions and Results


1). An algebraic expression in which the variables involved have only non-negative integral powers is called a polynomial.
For example, x2 + 5x – 6, x – 7x2 + 11, x5 – 3x + 2, x2 + √ 5, x4 + 5x3 – 2x2 + 7x – 3, etc. are polynomials
3

2). In the polynomial 5x – 4x + 6x – 3, we say that the coefficients of x , x and x are 5, – 4 and 6 respectively, and we also
3 2 3 2

say that – 3 is the constant term in it.

3). In case of a polynomial in one variable, the highest power of the variable is called the degree of the polynomial. For
example, 2x + 3 is a polynomial in x of degree 1, 4x2 – 32x – 5 is a polynomial in x of degree 2, and 3x4 – 5x2 + 1 is a
polynomial in x of degree 4.

4). A polynomial of degree 1 is called a linear polynomial. For example, 3x + 5 is a linear polynomial in x.

5). A polynomial of degree 2 is called a quadratic polynomial. For example, x2 + 5x – 12 is a quadratic polynomial in x.

6). A polynomial of degree 3 is called a cubic polynomial. For example, 4x3 – 3x2 + 7x + 1 is a cubic polynomial in x.

7). A polynomial of degree 4 is called a biquadratic polynomial. For example, x4 – 3x3 + 2x2 + 5x – 3 is a biquadratic
polynomial in x.

8). A polynomial having one term is called a monomial. Thus, 5x, 7x , 11x , 3xy and 2xyz are some examples of monomials in
2 3

one, two and three variables.


9). A polynomial having two terms is called a binomial. Thus, x + 1, 2x + 5, x –1, x + 1, x + y, x + y are some examples of
3 2 6 2 2

binomials in one and two variables.


10). A polynomial having three terms is called a trinomial. Thus, x – 3x + 1, x – 7x + 11, x + y + z are some examples of
2 3 2

trinomials.

11). A polynomial containing one term only, consisting of a constant is called a constant polynomial. For example, 3, – 5,
7/8 , etc. are all constant polynomials. In general, every real number is a constant polynomial. Clearly, the degree of a
non-zero constant polynomial is zero.

12). A polynomial consisting of one term namely zero only, is called a zero polynomial. The degree of zero polynomial is not
defined.
13). Let p(x) be a polynomial. If p(α) = 0, then we say that α is a zero of the polynomial p(x).
Finding the zeroes of a polynomial p(x) means solving the equation p(x) = 0
14). The constant polynomial has no zero.
15). Every real number is a zero of the zero polynomial.
16). A linear polynomial has one and only one zero.
17). If a polynomial p(x) is divided by d(x) = x – a, then the remainder is given by p(a).
[degree of p(x) > degree of d(x)].

18). Factor Theorem : Let f(x) be a polynomial of degree n > 1 and let a be any real number.
(i) If f(a) = 0, then (x – a) is a factor of f(x).
(ii) If (x – a) is a factor of f(x), then f(a)

19). Following results are known as identities as they are true for all values of the variables a, b and c.
(i) (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
(ii) (a – b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2
(iii) (a + b) (a – b) = a2 – b2
(iv) (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca
(v) (a + b)3 = a3 + b3 + 3ab (a + b)
(vi) (a – b)3 = a3 – b3 – 3ab (a – b)
(vii) a3 + b3 = (a + b) (a2 – ab + b2)
(viii) a3 – b3 = (a – b) (a2 + ab + b2)
(ix) a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc = (a + b + c) (a2 + b2 + c2 – ab – bc –ca)

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