Unit 3 Polynomials

Study Guide

7-5 Polynomials

Part 1: Classifying Polynomials by Terms

Some polynomials have specific names based upon the number of terms they have:

# of Terms Name

1 Monomial

2 Binomial

3 Trinomial

4 or more Polynomial

Monomial: any number, variable, or product of numbers and variables

with whole number exponents.

x
Examples: 5,x, , 3x 4 y 3
4

Binomial: the sum or difference of two unlike monomials

Examples: 4 x 2 + 5 y , − 12 xy 3 − 12 x 3 y , 4 x − 5

Trinomial: the sum or difference of three unlike monomials

Examples: 4 x 2 + 3x 2 y + 5 y , − 2 x 2 + 5 x − 3

Polynomial: the sum or difference of four or more unlike monomials

Examples: x3 − x 2 + x − 1 , 2g 3 − g 2 + h3 − h 2 + 2
Part 2: Classifying Polynomials by Degree

Some polynomials have specific names based upon the highest degree.
The degree of a monomial is the sum of the exponents on the variables in that monomial.
For example:
6 x 3 y 2 z : The degree of the monomial is 6, because 3 + 2 + 1 = 6

Sum of Exponents Degree of Polynomial Example

0 Constant 5, 3, 2

1 Linear x , 4x , 6y, 3m

2 Quadratic x 2 , 4 y 2 , mn

3 Cubic 3 x 2 y , 4m 3 , 2mnr

4 Quartic x 4 , xy 2 z , x 3 y + x 2 y 2

5 Quintic x 5 , − 3x 2 y 3

6 or more 6th degree, 7th degree, 8th degree… 7 xy 4 z , x 6 + x 3 + 3

Part 3: Writing Polynomials in Standard Form

A polynomial is written in Standard Form when the terms are in order of degree
from greatest to least. If the degrees add up to the same amount, then arrange the
terms alphabetically.

Example:
6x − 7 x5 + 4x 2 + 9
degree: 1 5 2 0

In Standard Form: − 7 x 5 + 4 x 2 + 6 x + 9

***REMEMBER***
ALWAYS TAKE THE SIGN WITH THE TERM!!!
Part 4: Identifying Leading Coefficients of a Polynomial

A leading coefficient is the first coefficient of the polynomial when written in

Standard Form.

Example: − y 2 + y 6 − 3y 8
− 3y8 + y6 − y 2
The leading coefficient is -3

Exercises:

Find the degree of the polynomial:

1. 62 2. 3 z 6 − 4 z + 12 3. 5k − 5k 2 − 2

Classify the polynomial by degree and term:

4. 2s 5. 12v + 6v 4 + 3 6. 8st 3 + 8s 4 t

Write each polynomial in standard form, then identify the leading coefficient:

7. 2n − 4 − 3n 3 8. 6h − 2 + 2 h 7 9. 2a − a 4 − a 6 + 3a 3

7-6 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Part 1: Adding Polynomials

Like Terms: monomials with the same variables raised to the same power.
Examples of like terms: 2x and -3x 4x3y2 and -2x3y2

When adding or subtracting like terms, the only thing that will change is the
COEFFICIENT
 Examples:

#1: (3 x 2 − 5 x + 4) + (−2 x 2 − 8)

Step 1: Line up like terms vertically. Remember to keep the sign with the
term when you move it.
(3 x 2 − 5 x + 4)
+ ( −2 x 2 − 8)

Step 2: Add vertically.

(3 x 2 − 5 x + 4)
+ ( −2 x 2 − 8)

x 2 − 5x − 4

#2 (− 4 xy + 3x − 2 y ) − (3xy + 2 x − 5 y)

Step 1: Distribute the negative (minus) sign onto the second expression and
rewrite.
− 4 xy + 3 x − 2 y − 3 xy − 2 x + 5 y

Step 2: Regroup like terms and add or subtract them.

− 4 xy − 3 xy + 3 x − 2 x − 2 y + 5 y
= −7 xy + x + 3 y

Exercises:
Add or subtract. Write your answers in standard form.

10. (2 y 3
) (
+ 5y2 − 6y + − 5y2 − 4y +1 )

8 pr 2 + 6 p − 1
11.
+ −7p +3
12. ( − m 3 − m 2 − m − 2) − ( − m 3 − m − 2)

8 pr 2 + 6 p − 1
13.
− ( − 7 p + 3)

7.7 Multiplying Polynomials

To multiply monomials:

1. multiply the coefficients

2. multiply the variables with like bases…add the exponents

To multiply a polynomial by a monomial:

1. distribute the monomial to each term in the polynomial

2. multiply the coefficients
3. multiply the variables with like bases…add the exponents

Examples:

#1 (− 5x y )(2 xy )
2 3

(− 5)(2)(x 2 x )(y 3 y )
− 10 x 3 y 4

#2 ( ) ( )
2 x 2 x 2 + 5 x + 4
2 x 2 x 2 + 2 x(5 x ) + 2 x(4 )
4 x 3 + 10 x 2 + 8 x
To multiply binomials:
Method 1: Lattice Method

Given: ( x − 3)(2 x + 4 )
1. Since there are four terms in the problem, draw a box and split it
into quarters. Write one binomial on the top of the box and one on
the side…as shown below.

x -3

2x

+4

2. Multiply the terms and fill in the boxes.

x -3

2x 2x2 -6x

+4 +4x -12

3. Re-write the polynomial in standard form and simplify by

combining like terms.

2 x 2 − 6 x + 4 x − 12
2 x 2 − 2 x − 12

Method 2: Vertical Method

Given: (3 x + 2)( x − 5)

1. Line up the binomials as if you were multiplying two two-digit

numbers.
3x + 2
x−5

2. Multiply as if you had a ones digit and a tens digit. Simplify by

adding like terms.
3x + 2
x−5
− 15 x − 10
2
3x + 2 x
3 x 2 − 13 x − 10
 Method 3: FOIL

FOIL is an algorithm…mathematical process…that stands for:

F = First…multiply the first terms in each binomial

O = Outside…multiply the outside terms in each binomial
I = Inside…multiply the inside terms in each binomial
L = Last…multiply the last terms in each binomial.

Given: (− 2 x + 1)(− x + 2 )

F: -2x(-x)= 2x2
O: -2x(2) = -4x
I: 1(-x) = -x
L: 1(2) = 2

Simplify by writing in standard form and combining like terms.

2x 2 − 5x + 2

Exercises:
Multiply. Write your answers in standard form.

14. (2 y )(− 5 y 2 − 4 y + 1)

15. (2 xyz )(− 4 x 2 yz 3 )

16. (
− 4x x 3 + 8x 2 )
17. (x − 5)(x 2 − 4)

18. (2 x − 3)(x 2 − 6 x + 8)

7.8 Special Products of Binomials

***The methods taught in this section are shortcuts for multiplying binomials.***
You can still use any method for multiplying binomials if you like.

Perfect-Square Trinomial: a trinomial that is the product of squaring a

binomial.

Algebraic Definition: (a + b )2 = (a + b )(a + b ) = a 2 + 2ab + b 2

(a − b )2 = (a − b )(a − b ) = a 2 − 2ab + b 2

Examples:

#1 ( x + 4 )2
Step 1: identify a and b

a=x b=4

Step 2: substitute the values of a and b into the above algebraic

definition

(x )2 + 2( x)(4) + (4) 2
Step 3: simplify

x 2 + 8 x + 16
 #2 (2 x − 3)2
Step 1: identify a and b

a = 2x b = -3

Step 2: substitute the values of a and b into the above algebraic

definition

(2 x )2 + 2(2 x)(−3) + (−3) 2

Step 3: simplify

4 x 2 − 12 x + 9

Difference of Two Squares: a binomial that is the product of multiplying two

binomials with like terms but opposite signs. You’ll notice that both terms in the
product binomial are perfect squares…and you are subtracting them…Hence the
name Difference of Two Squares!!

Algebraic Definition:
(a + b )(a − b)
= a (a − b) + b( a − b)
= a 2 − ab + ab − b 2
= a2 − b2
Examples:

#1 (x + 4 )( x − 4)
Step 1: identify a and b

a=x b=4

Step 2: substitute the values of a and b into the above algebraic

definition

x( x − 4) + 4( x − 4)

Step 3: simplify

x 2 − 4 x + 4 x − 16
= x 2 − 16
 #2 (2 x + 2)(2 x − 2)
Step 1: identify a and b

a = 2x b=2

Step 2: substitute the values of a and b into the above algebraic

definition

2 x(2 x − 2) + 2(2 x − 2)

Step 3: simplify

4x 2 − 4x + 4x − 4
= 4x 2 − 4

Exercises:
Multiply. Write your answers in standard form.

19. (z − 3)(z + 3)

20. (5 x + 6)2

21. (10 + x )(10 − x )

22. (7 x − 5)2