Polynomials Exercises


Exponents

If you're still not sure what exponents are, feel free to travel back in time to our handy exponent guide. We're traveling to whatever planet polynomials are from in this little fantasy of our...

Defining Polynomials

It's been a while since we mentioned them, and now your brain is in a total "exponent" zone. It's okay. We're here for you.Like aliens, polynomials come in many shapes, sizes, and extradimension...

Evaluating Polynomials

Evaluating a polynomial is like evaluating any other expression. We substitute the given value(s) for each and every variable. Then we do the necessary plusing and minusing to find an answer. If yo...

Combining Polynomials

Adding PolynomialsTo add polynomials, all we do is combine like terms in the same way as we would with any other expression. Sorry, we know you were probably hoping for something new and wildly dif...

Multiplication of a Monomial and a Polynomial

The easiest case of polynomial multiplication is multiplying a monomial and a polynomial. In this case, we "distribute" the monomial to each term in the polynomial. We really do distribute it, thou...

Multiplication of Two Binomials

Multiplying two binomials is still an application of the distributive property. In fact, we can use the distributive property even more than we did in the first example. It's like the stuffing and...

Special Cases of Binomial Multiplication

There are some special cases of binomial multiplication that every algebra student should know. Some are useful because they can save you from doing more work than you absolutely need to. Others ar...

General Multiplication of Polynomials

Alas, there are no quick and easy patterns to use when we're multiplying any two polynomials that don't fit the description of one of our special cases. We just need to apply the distributive pr...

The Greatest Common Factor

Been here and done this, but we'll go through a couple of examples to jog your memory. Sorry, we know how much your memory despises physical exercise.Sample ProblemFactor the polynomial x2 + x.S...

Recognizing Products

Sometimes we can tell by looking at a polynomial that it's a product of a particular type. Not that we want to put polynomials into a box, but...it does preserve their freshness.Difference of Two S...

Trial and Error

We already know how to factor quadratic polynomials that are the result of multiplying a sum and difference, or the result of squaring a binomial with degree 1. Once in a while, though, trinomials...

Factoring by Grouping

Factoring by grouping is like "undistributing" or unwrapping our polynomial. You pictured a baked potato too, huh?The simplest situation in which we can factor by grouping is when we have a four-t...

Summary

By now, your head might be spinning. Very reasonably, we might add. If so, focus on a single spot in the room and don't look away. Common factors, grouping, squares, sums, differences...gah! It's h...

Solving Polynomial Equations

To solve a polynomial equation, we need to find the values of x that make the polynomial 0. That is, we want to find the roots of the polynomial. Then, if we want to give it a root canal, we'll kno...

In the Real World

Scientific NotationEarth-shattering fact: scientists use math. Some mathematicians even use science. Too bad more of them don't use soap. Ooh, ice burn.We're not only talking about white-haired dud...