When you start learning about polynomials, it's important to know some basic terms. Here are a few key ideas to remember:
Terms: These are the pieces of the polynomial that are split by plus or minus signs. For example, in the polynomial (3x^2 + 4x - 5), there are three terms: (3x^2), (4x), and (-5).
Coefficients: These are the numbers in front of the letters (or variables). In our example, (3) is the coefficient for (x^2), and (4) is the coefficient for (x).
Degree: This tells you the highest exponent in the polynomial. In (3x^2 + 4x - 5), the degree is (2) because of the term (3x^2).
Knowing these basics makes it much easier to work with polynomials, especially when you start factoring them!
When you start learning about polynomials, it's important to know some basic terms. Here are a few key ideas to remember:
Terms: These are the pieces of the polynomial that are split by plus or minus signs. For example, in the polynomial (3x^2 + 4x - 5), there are three terms: (3x^2), (4x), and (-5).
Coefficients: These are the numbers in front of the letters (or variables). In our example, (3) is the coefficient for (x^2), and (4) is the coefficient for (x).
Degree: This tells you the highest exponent in the polynomial. In (3x^2 + 4x - 5), the degree is (2) because of the term (3x^2).
Knowing these basics makes it much easier to work with polynomials, especially when you start factoring them!