Lesson 2.

2: Polynomials

Lesson Summary
.
Polynomials are the backbone in expressing many engineering problems that
are important in solving many real-life situations. In this lesson, we will
review the different operations in simplifying polynomials such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division, factoring, and division of polynomials.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Solve exponential expressions
2. polynomial expressions
3. Factor polynomial expressions
4. Divide polynomials

Motivation Question
Are you ready to take your preferred engineering degree program based on
your knowledge in solving problems polynomials?

Discussion

Definition of a Polynomial
A polynomial is an algebraic expression which can be a term or finite sum of
terms in which all variables contain only whole number exponents and no
variables appear in denominators. A polynomial in variable x, for example,
may be written as:

anxn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 + . . . + a2x2 + a1x + a0,

where n is a nonnegative integer and each coefficient ai is a real number.

We should emphasize that if an ≠ 0, then the polynomial is said to have
degree n.
The expression aixi.in the sum such as anxn, an-1xn-1, or a0 in the above
equation is called a term. If the coefficient ai is zero, we usually delete the
term aixi. The coefficient ai of the highest power of x is called the leading
coefficient of the polynomial. A term such as 5x4, the number 5 is the
coefficient, x is the variable, and 4 is the exponent.
We can elaborate the terms leading coefficient and degree by the following
sample polynomials.
 19 Pre-Calculus for Enigneers

Polynomials Leading Coefficient Degree

X9 + 9x5 + (-5)x + 2 1 9
7x3 + 3x2 + (-2)x + 1 5 3
5x + 1 5 1
3 3 0

It is basic definition in polynomials that, two polynomials are equal, if and only
if they have the same degree and the coefficients of like powers of x are
equal. The polynomial is called zero polynomial when all the coefficients of
a polynomial is zero. When the coefficient of a polynomial is negative, we
use a minus sign between appropriate terms.

Addition and Subtraction of Polynomials

The distributive property of numbers is useful in adding or subtracting
polynomials. We should emphasize that only like terms may be added or
subtracted. For example, if we simplify the terms at the left of the equal sign
(=), the answers are shown by the terms after the = sign.

a. 10x2 + 5x2 = (10 + 5)x2 = 15x2

b. 7y5 + 9y5 = (7 + 9)y5 = 16y5
c. -4a3 + 8a3 = (-4 + 8)a3 = 4a3

When the terms in the polynomial are different, it is not possible to simplify
the said polynomial as shown in the examples below:
a. 4x3 + 2x These polynomials cannot be
b. 6y4 + 4y2 + 2 simplified anymore because they
c. 9z7 + 7z5 + 3z3 + 1

In adding and subtracting polynomials, it is very helpful to master the basic

rules in algebra.

I am presenting again below some basic rules in algebra which are very
helpful in adding and subtracting polynomials.

1. Rule of Additive Inverse

The Additive Inverse of a number or a term is the number or the term

itself but with the opposite sign (+ or -)

Example:
a. The Additive Inverse of 7 is –7 and for –(8) is 8
b. The Additive Inverse of 2x3 is -2x3 and for -5x is 5x

2. Rule of Additive Inverse

The Additive Inverse of a number or a term is the number or the term

itself but with the opposite sign (+ or -)

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 Pre-Calculus for Engineers 20

Example:
a. The Additive Inverse of 7 is –7 and for –(8) is 8
b. The Additive Inverse of 2x3 is -2x3 and for -5x is 5x

3. Rule of Absolute Value

The absolute value of a positive number or term x is the number itself:

IxI = x, where I I is the absolute sign.

Example
a. The absolute value of 10. = I10I = 10
b. The absolute value of 3x3. = I3x3I = 3x3

The absolute value of a negative number or term x is the opposite of

the negative number or term: I-xI = x

Example
a. The absolute value of -12. = I-12I = 12
b. The absolute value of -5y2. = I-5y3I = 5y3

4. Rule on Addition or Subtraction

To add two number or two the same terms with the same sign, add
the absolute values of the numbers, then attached the sign of the
addends

Example
a. The addend of l-5l + 9 is: = 5 + 9 = 14
b. The addend of 3x2 + 7x2 is: = 3x2 + 7x2 = 10x2

To add two numbers or terms with different signs, find the absolute
value of each other. Then subtract the smaller of these numbers from
the larger one. Attach the sign of the larger number.

Example
a. Add (-8) + 10 + (-6) + 5
Then
= (-8) + 10 + (-6) + 5
= 2 + (-6) + 5
= -4 + 5
= 1

Applying the above rules, we can see that to subtract polynomials, we use the
following principles:
 -(x + y) = -x – y
 -(x – y) = -x + y

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To apply the above principles, I am presenting the following sample exercise

to illustrate how to add and subtract polynomials.

Example 1. Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

A. ADD the following polynomials as indicated:

1) t t t

Solution 1. Horizontal Format

From the given, we then combine like terms, thus:

= t t t

Solution 2. Vertical Format

From the given, we arrange the parts vertically thus,

= t t 香
t + t t
=

t
2) t t t tt

Solution:

From the given, we then combine like terms, thus:

t t t − − tt (t t
= 香 香 t

B. SUBTRACT the following polynomials as indicated

1. tt t

Solution 1. Horizontal Format

From the given, rewrite the subtraction as the addition of the

additive inverse and then combine terms thus,

= tt t

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 Pre-Calculus for Engineers 22

= t (tt t

t t

Solution 2. Vertical Format

From the given, we arrange the parts vertically thus,

= tt t , then:

= tt
t +
= t t

2. t

Solution:

From the given, rewrite the subtraction as the addition of the

additive inverse and then combine terms thus,

= 香 ꀀ 香ꀀ

3) t t t

Solution:

From the given, rewrite the subtraction as the addition of the

additive inverse and then combine terms thus,

t t t

t t ( t ( t t

Multiplication of Polynomials
Multiplication of polynomials also use the distributive property of multiplication
and law of exponents as discussed earlier under lesson 2.1.

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We will now use your prior basic knowledge on the law of exponents and the
distributive property of integers in multiplying polynomials. I will discuss the
procedure of multiplying polynomials by presenting illustrative problems.

The following sections show sample illustrative problems that are useful in
solving any type of multiplication of polynomials. Our illustrative problems are
presented by category: a) multiplying monomials, b) multiplying binomials,
and c) multiplying polynomials

Multiplication of Monomials
A monomial is an algebraic expression that contains one term only which
may include integers (-1, 2, 4, . . ., n), whole numbers and variables that are
written together as a product (-2x2, 5y3), and purely variables written together
as a product (xy2, x3y4z6). If a monomial is multiplied by a monomial, the
product is also a monomial.

The following are some examples of multiplying monomials.

Example 2. Multiplying Monomials

Multiply the following monomials as required.

1) 2(xy)
Solution: = 2xy

2) 3x(xy2)
Solution: = 3x2y2

3) 5a3(a2b5)
Solution: = 5a5b5

4) xy2(x2y3z4)
Solution: = x1+2 y2+3 z4 = x3y5z4

5) 4x3y4z5(3xy2z3)
Solution = (4.3)(x3+1 y4+2 z5+3) = 12x4y6z8

Multiplication of Monomial by a Binomials

A binomial is an algebraic expression of a polynomial with exactly two terms.
Each in the term in the binomial may include integers (-3, 3, 4, 5 . . ., n),
whole numbers and variables that are written together as a product (-3x3, 7y4),
and purely variables written together as a product (x3y2, xy2z3). Some
examples of binomials are x + 1, 2y2 + 2, 3a -2b2, v2- , and other similar
expressions.

If a binomial is multiplied by a monomial, the product is also a binomial.

The following are some examples of multiplying a monomial by a binomial

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 Pre-Calculus for Engineers 24

Example 3. Multiplying Monomials by a Binomial

Instruction: Multiply the following monomial by a binomial

1) 2y(x2 + 1)

Solution. = 2yx2 + 2y

2) 5x2y(3x y + 2yz)

Solution. = 2yx2 + 2y

3) t t

Solution: = t t = 48X2 – 32x r

Multiplying Binomial by a Binomial

If binomial is multiplied by a binomial, the product is a trinomial or a
polynomial with 3 terms.

In multiplying two binomials, the F O I L (First, Outer, Inner, Last) is often

used as a guide for memory recall.

The following are examples of multiplying binomial by a binomial using the

recommended FOIL Method.

Example 4. Multiplying Binomial by binomial Using the

FOIL Method
.
1) (2a – 4)(a + 5)

Solution: Using FOIL, the following are the results

F O I L
= (2a)(a) + (2a)(5) –(4)(a) – 4(5)
= 2a2 + 10a - 4a - 20
= 2a2 + 6a -20

2) (3a -2) (5a + 7)

Solution.
= 3a(5a + 7) -2((5a + 7)
= 15a2 +21a -10a-14
F O I L,
= 15a2 + 11a -14

3) t t

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Solution:
= t t
F O I L
= t t ( tt(tt
= t
= ʹ

Multiplication of Polynomials with Two or More Terms

When we multiply two polynomials containing two or more terms, we
should make sure to multiply each term of one polynomial by each term of the
other.

The product of two polynomials with two or more terms may be solved by:

a. Horizontal method using the distributive property of multiplication

of

b. Vertical arrangement of multiplication

The following examples show the two methods.

Example 5. Multiplying Two Polynomials with Two of

More Terms
Multiply the following binomial with trinomial using the horizontal and
vertical methods:

1. t t

Solution:

Horizontal Method;

Using the distributive property yields

= t t
= t t t t
= t t t t
= tt t
= ꀀ ꀀ ꀀ Answer

Vertical Method

From the given: t t

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 Pre-Calculus for Engineers 26

= t t (write the polynomial with more

terms on top)
(write the polynomial with lesser
terms below)
= tt ( ( t tt
t - ( t t

= ꀀ ꀀ ꀀ Answer

2. t(

Solution:

Horizontal Method;

Using the distributive property yields

= t(
= ( t
t
= ( t ( t t t ( t tt

Removing the parenthesis and grouping like terms yield:

= t t t t t t
= t ( t (t t t ( t t t t
= ꀀ香 香 Answer

Vertical Method

From the given: = t(

= (copy the original form)

(copy in the original form)

t
= ( ( t
2 t t ( ( t
+2 t t ( ( t

= t t
= ꀀ香 香 Answer

Special Products of Binomials

The products of some binomials are derived easily by using some special
forms that occur frequently in Algebra. These special forms also shorten the
operative processes.

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We assume that: a and b are real numbers, variables, or algebraic equations.

We can then express the special products of binomial as follows:

a. Sum and Difference of Same Terms

b. Square of a Binomial
( t
( t

c. Cube of a Binomial
( t ( t( t
( t ( t( t

Example 6. Special Products of Polynomials

Perform the following special products of polynomials

A. Sum and Difference of Same Terms

1. Solve

Solution:
This example illustrates the special product of a sum and
difference of the same two terms that takes the form
where a = x and b=3. Solving, we have:

= ( t ( t = t

2. Solve (5x + 4)(5x-4)

Solution: In this example a = 5x and b = 4, then

= (5x + 4)(5x-4 = (t t (tt = t – 16

B. Square of a Binomial t and

t

1. Solve ( tt
Solution:
This example illustrates the special product of the square of
binomial, thus

= tt t t

ʹ t

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 Pre-Calculus for Engineers 28

2. Solve ( t
Solution:
This example illustrates the special product of the square of
binomial, thus

= ( t =( t ( t
t t

C. Cube of a Binomial t ( t( t
t ( t(

1. Solve ( t
Solution:
This example illustrates the special product of the cube of
binomial, thus

= t ( t(( t
( t(t t )
( t t ) + (t t t
= ( t香 )t

2. Solve ( t
Solution:
This example illustrates the special product of the cube of
binomial, thus

= t ( t(( t
( t(t t )
( t t )+( t t t
= ( t香 )t

Assessment

Instructions: Evaluate the following polynomials

1. t a t 6.
2. t t t 3 t 7. ܿ tܿ ܿ t

3. ( t t 8. t

4. ( t t t 9. t

5. t 10.

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References
1. LARSON, R and R.P. HOSTETLER. 2004. College Algebra, 6th ed.
Houghton Mifflin Co., 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-3764.

2. LIAL, M.L., GREENWELL, R.N; AND RITCHEY, N.P. 2008. Calculus

with Application, 9th ed. Pearson Education, Inc., 501 Bolston Street,
Suite 900, Boston MA02116.

3. SULIVAN, M. 2005. College Algebra, 7th ed. Pearson Prentice Hall,

Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey

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