Introduction

Algebraic Expressions:

Any combination of variables or constants linked together by any operation: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division (except division by zero) is an algebraic expression or a polynomial.

A polynomial is an expression containing one or more terms.

Example:

Which of the following is a polynomial?

Question	Polynomial?	Reason
5x + 6	Yes	No division by zero
	Yes	No division by zero
	No	Division by zero

Naming a Polynomial:

	Monomial is a one-term polynomial. (mono- means one)
	Binomial is a two-term polynomial. (bi- means two)
	Trinomial is a three-term polynomial. (tri- means three)
	The degree of a polynomial is the largest (maximum) sum of exponents that appear on the variables in the terms.

Example:

Name each polynomial and report the degree:

Polynomial	Degree	Name
	3rd	Trinomial
	5th	Binomial
	7th (2 + 5 = 7)	Monomial

Evaluating Polynomials:

To evaluate a polynomial when given a value is to replace the unknown in the polynomial with the given value then simplifying.

Example:
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Example:
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Like Terms

Terms that have the same variables and each variable has the same exponent in each term are called like terms.

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Collecting Like Terms:

To add or subtract like terms, use the reverse of the Distributive Property of Multiplication. Add/subtract the numbers of the like terms and we keep the term unchanged.

Example:
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Example:

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