2. Polynomial
An expression of finite length
Finite= has limit; definite; countable;
measurable
made up of terms that are only added,
subtracted or multiplied
comes form poly- (meaning "many") and
-nomial (in this case meaning "term") ... so it
says "many terms"
3. Composition of Polynomials
Constants
Variables
Variables with positive exponents
can have no variable at all
Can have one variable
4. What's special about
polynomials?
If you add polynomials you get a polynomial
If you multiply polynomials you get a polynomial
5. Standard form
Those variables with highest exponents go first
Descending order of exponents
4 2
x −2x + x