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