Polynomials Vocabulary Unit 8
factoring by grouping
A method of factoring that uses the distributive property to remove a common binomial factor of two pairs of terms
Polynomial
A monomial or the sum of monomials called for example monomials, binomials, trinomials
Coefficient
A number used to multiply a variable.
Constant
A term that has no variables.
Leading Term
The term of a polynomial with the greatest exponent. ("biggest term")
Factoring
To express a polynomial as the product of monomials and polynomials
Linear
a polynomial of degree 1 for example 3x +1
Cubic
a polynomial of degree 3
prime polynomial
a polynomial that cannot be written as a product of two polynomials with integral coefficients , when it cannot be factored we write 'prime'
perfect square trinomial
a trinomial that is the result of squaring a binomial
quadratic expression
an expression in one variable with a degree of 2 written in the form ax^2+bx+c
Standard Form of a Polynomial
terms in order from the greatest degree to the least degree
Leading Coefficient
the coefficient of the first term of a polynomial in standard form it should have the greatest degree
difference of squares
the factored form of the product of the sum and difference of two quantities
Degree of a Polynomial
the largest exponent or the largest sum of exponents within a polynomial
degree of a monomial
the sum of the exponents of the variables in the monomial
Trinomial
the sum or difference of 3 monomials
Binomial
the sum or difference of two monomials
Terms
variables, constants, or other monomials separated by plus or minus signs in an expression.
Zero Product Property
when the product of two or more factors is zero, one of these factors must equal zero