What's a polynomial? I'm in Algebra 1.

Question

compassionate · Answer

Hello, my name is Stephen and I'll answer your question. 

Poly is the prefix for: greater than or equal to four

Tri is the prefix for: 3

Bi is the prefix for: 2

Binomial: Two terms -- x^2 - y
Trinomial: three terms -- x^2 + 18x - 39
Polynomial: four terms -- x^2 + xy - 22x - 33

Basically, any nomial that has MORE than or EQUAL to FOUR terms, is a polynomial.

compassionate · Answer

$$x^2 + x + 22y - xy + 30 - 34x^2y^2$$

This is also a polynomial because it has equal to or greater than four terms.

anonymous · Answer

Thanks! That helps a lot!

compassionate · Answer

No problem. 

Keep on asking questions. Alfred would be proud.

amistre64 · Answer

y = 5  is a "polynomial"

amistre64 · Answer

a polynomial is mathematically defined as a structure:

$$P(x) =c_o+c_1x+c_2x^2+c_3x^3+...+c_nx^n~:~n=1,2,3,4,... $$

amistre64 · Answer

there are a few special names for polynomials up to about n=4 or 5, as well as naming them based on the number of terms