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Study Guides > MATH 0123

Polynomial Basics

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify the degree, leading coefficient, and leading term of a polynomial.
  • Add and subtract polynomials.
  • Multiply polynomials.
  • Square a binomial.
  • Find a difference of squares.
  • Perform operations on polynomials with several variables.
Earl is building a doghouse whose front is in the shape of a square topped with a triangle. There will be a rectangular door through which the dog can enter and exit the house. Earl wants to find the area of the front of the doghouse so that he can purchase the correct amount of paint. Using the measurements of the front of the house shown below, we can create an expression that combines several variable terms which allows us to solve this problem and others like it.
Sketch of a house formed by a square and a triangle based on the top of the square. A rectangle is placed at the bottom center of the square to mark a doorway. The height of the door is labeled: x and the width of the door is labeled: 1 foot. The side of the square is labeled: 2x. The height of the triangle is labeled: 3/2 feet. Measurements of the front of the doghouse Earl is building.
First, find the area of the square in square feet.
[latex]\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill A& =& {s}^{2}\hfill \\ & =& {\left(2x\right)}^{2}\hfill \\ & =& 4{x}^{2}\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
Then, find the area of the triangle in square feet.
[latex]\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill A& =& \frac{1}{2}bh\hfill \\ & =& \text{}\frac{1}{2}\left(2x\right)\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)\hfill \\ & =& \text{}\frac{3}{2}x\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
Next, find the area of the rectangular door in square feet.
[latex]\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill A& =& lw\hfill \\ & =& x\cdot 1\hfill \\ \hfill & =& x\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Operations on Polynomials

The area of the front of the doghouse can be found by adding the areas of the square and the triangle and then subtracting the area of the rectangle. When we do this, we get [latex]4{x}^{2}+\frac{3}{2}x-x[/latex] ft2, or [latex]4{x}^{2}+\frac{1}{2}x[/latex] ft2. In this section, we will examine expressions such as this one, which combine several variable terms. The area of the front of the doghouse described in the introduction was [latex]4{x}^{2}+\frac{1}{2}x[/latex] ft2. This is an example of a polynomial which is a sum of or difference of terms each consisting of a variable raised to a nonnegative integer power. A number multiplied by a variable raised to an exponent, such as [latex]384\pi [/latex], is known as a coefficient. Coefficients can be positive, negative, or zero, and can be whole numbers, decimals, or fractions. Each product [latex]{a}_{i}{x}^{i}[/latex], such as [latex]384\pi w[/latex], is a term of a polynomial. If a term does not contain a variable, it is called a constant. A polynomial containing only one term, such as [latex]5{x}^{4}[/latex], is called a monomial. A polynomial containing two terms, such as [latex]2x - 9[/latex], is called a binomial. A polynomial containing three terms, such as [latex]-3{x}^{2}+8x - 7[/latex], is called a trinomial. We can find the degree of a polynomial by identifying the highest power of the variable that occurs in the polynomial. The term with the highest degree is called the leading term because it is usually written first. The coefficient of the leading term is called the leading coefficient. When a polynomial is written so that the powers are descending, we say that it is in standard form. A polynomial reading: a sub n times x to the nth power plus and so on plus a sub 2 times x squared plus a sub one times x plus a subzero is shown. The a in the term a sub n is labeled: leading coefficient. The n in the term x to the nth power is labeled: degree. Finally, the entire term is labeled as: Leading term.

A General Note: Polynomials

A polynomial is an expression that can be written in the form
[latex]{a}_{n}{x}^{n}+\dots+{a}_{2}{x}^{2}+{a}_{1}x+{a}_{0}[/latex]
Each real number ai is called a coefficient. The number [latex]{a}_{0}[/latex] that is not multiplied by a variable is called a constant. Each product [latex]{a}_{i}{x}^{i}[/latex] is a term of a polynomial. The highest power of the variable that occurs in the polynomial is called the degree of a polynomial. The leading term is the term with the highest power, and its coefficient is called the leading coefficient.

How To: Given a polynomial expression, identify the degree and leading coefficient

  1. Find the highest power of x to determine the degree.
  2. Identify the term containing the highest power of x to find the leading term.
  3. Identify the coefficient of the leading term.

Example: Identifying the Degree and Leading Coefficient of a Polynomial

For the following polynomials, identify the degree, the leading term, and the leading coefficient.
  1. [latex]3+2{x}^{2}-4{x}^{3}[/latex]
  2. [latex]5{t}^{5}-2{t}^{3}+7t[/latex]
  3. [latex]6p-{p}^{3}-2[/latex]

Answer:

  1. The highest power of x is 3, so the degree is 3. The leading term is the term containing that degree, [latex]-4{x}^{3}[/latex]. The leading coefficient is the coefficient of that term, [latex]-4[/latex].
  2. The highest power of t is [latex]5[/latex], so the degree is [latex]5[/latex]. The leading term is the term containing that degree, [latex]5{t}^{5}[/latex]. The leading coefficient is the coefficient of that term, [latex]5[/latex].
  3. The highest power of p is [latex]3[/latex], so the degree is [latex]3[/latex]. The leading term is the term containing that degree, [latex]-{p}^{3}[/latex], The leading coefficient is the coefficient of that term, [latex]-1[/latex].

Try It

Identify the degree, leading term, and leading coefficient of the polynomial [latex]4{x}^{2}-{x}^{6}+2x - 6[/latex].

Answer: The degree is 6, the leading term is [latex]-{x}^{6}[/latex], and the leading coefficient is [latex]-1[/latex].

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

We can add and subtract polynomials by combining like terms, which are terms that contain the same variables raised to the same exponents. For example, [latex]5{x}^{2}[/latex] and [latex]-2{x}^{2}[/latex] are like terms and can be added to get [latex]3{x}^{2}[/latex], but [latex]3x[/latex] and [latex]3{x}^{2}[/latex] are not like terms and therefore cannot be added.

How To: Given multiple polynomials, add or subtract them to simplify the expressions

  1. Combine like terms.
  2. Simplify and write in standard form. Standard form means you start with the leading term, and write the rest of the terms in descending order by degree.

Example: Adding Polynomials

Find the sum.

[latex]\left(12{x}^{2}+9x - 21\right)+\left(4{x}^{3}+8{x}^{2}-5x+20\right)[/latex]

Answer: [latex-display]\begin{array}{cc}4{x}^{3}+\left(12{x}^{2}+8{x}^{2}\right)+\left(9x - 5x\right)+\left(-21+20\right) \hfill & \text{Combine like terms}.\hfill \\ 4{x}^{3}+20{x}^{2}+4x - 1\hfill & \text{Simplify}.\hfill \end{array}[/latex-display]

Analysis of the Solution

We can check our answers to these types of problems using a graphing calculator. To check, graph the problem as given along with the simplified answer. The two graphs should be the same. Be sure to use the same window to compare the graphs. Using different windows can make the expressions seem equivalent when they are not.

Try It

Find the sum. [latex-display]\left(2{x}^{3}+5{x}^{2}-x+1\right)+\left(2{x}^{2}-3x - 4\right)[/latex-display]

Answer: [latex-display]2{x}^{3}+7{x}^{2}-4x - 3[/latex-display]

Example: Subtracting Polynomials

Find the difference.

[latex]\left(7{x}^{4}-{x}^{2}+6x+1\right)-\left(5{x}^{3}-2{x}^{2}+3x+2\right)[/latex]

Answer: [latex-display]\begin{array}{cc}7{x}^{4}-5{x}^{3}+\left(-{x}^{2}+2{x}^{2}\right)+\left(6x - 3x\right)+\left(1 - 2\right)\text{ }\hfill & \text{Combine like terms}.\hfill \\ 7{x}^{4}-5{x}^{3}+{x}^{2}+3x - 1\hfill & \text{Simplify}.\hfill \end{array}[/latex-display]

Analysis of the Solution

Note that finding the difference between two polynomials is the same as adding the opposite of the second polynomial to the first.

Try It

Find the difference. [latex-display]\left(-7{x}^{3}-7{x}^{2}+6x - 2\right)-\left(4{x}^{3}-6{x}^{2}-x+7\right)[/latex-display]

Answer: [latex-display]-11{x}^{3}-{x}^{2}+7x - 9[/latex-display]

Multiplying Polynomials

Multiplying polynomials is a bit more challenging than adding and subtracting polynomials. We must use the distributive property to multiply each term in the first polynomial by each term in the second polynomial. We then combine like terms. We can also use a shortcut called the FOIL method when multiplying binomials. Certain special products follow patterns that we can memorize and use instead of multiplying the polynomials by hand each time. We will look at a variety of ways to multiply polynomials.

Multiplying Polynomials Using the Distributive Property

To multiply a number by a polynomial we use the distributive property. The number must be distributed to each term of the polynomial. In [latex]2\left(x+7\right)[/latex] we can distribute [latex]2[/latex] to obtain the expression [latex]2x+14[/latex]. When multiplying polynomials, the distributive property allows us to multiply each term of the first polynomial by each term of the second. We then add the products together and combine like terms to simplify.

How To: Given the multiplication of two polynomials, use the distributive property to simplify the expression

  1. Multiply each term of the first polynomial by each term of the second.
  2. Combine like terms.
  3. Simplify.

Example: Multiplying Polynomials Using the Distributive Property

Find the product.

[latex]\left(2x+1\right)\left(3{x}^{2}-x+4\right)[/latex]

Answer:

[latex]\begin{array}{cc}2x\left(3{x}^{2}-x+4\right)+1\left(3{x}^{2}-x+4\right) \hfill & \text{Use the distributive property}.\hfill \\ \left(6{x}^{3}-2{x}^{2}+8x\right)+\left(3{x}^{2}-x+4\right)\hfill & \text{Multiply}.\hfill \\ 6{x}^{3}+\left(-2{x}^{2}+3{x}^{2}\right)+\left(8x-x\right)+4\hfill & \text{Combine like terms}.\hfill \\ 6{x}^{3}+{x}^{2}+7x+4 \hfill & \text{Simplify}.\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Analysis of the Solution

We can use a table to keep track of our work, as shown in the table below. Write one polynomial across the top and the other down the side. For each box in the table, multiply the term for that row by the term for that column. Then add all of the terms together, combine like terms, and simplify.
[latex]3{x}^{2}[/latex] [latex]-x[/latex] [latex]+4[/latex]
[latex]2x[/latex] [latex]6{x}^{3}\\[/latex] [latex]-2{x}^{2}[/latex] [latex]8x[/latex]
[latex]+1[/latex] [latex]3{x}^{2}[/latex] [latex]-x[/latex] [latex]4[/latex]

Try It

Find the product.

[latex]\left(3x+2\right)\left({x}^{3}-4{x}^{2}+7\right)[/latex]

Answer: [latex-display]3{x}^{4}-10{x}^{3}-8{x}^{2}+21x+14[/latex-display]

Analysis of the Solution

We can use a table to keep track of our work as shown below. Write one polynomial across the top and the other down the side. For each box in the table, multiply the term for that row by the term for that column. Then add all of the terms together, combine like terms, and simplify.
[latex]3{x}^{2}[/latex] [latex]-x[/latex] [latex]+4[/latex]
[latex]2x[/latex] [latex]6{x}^{3}\\[/latex] [latex]-2{x}^{2}[/latex] [latex]8x[/latex]
[latex]+1[/latex] [latex]3{x}^{2}[/latex] [latex]-x[/latex] [latex]4[/latex]

Using FOIL to Multiply Binomials

A shortcut called FOIL is sometimes used to find the product of two binomials. It is called FOIL because we multiply the first terms, the outer terms, the inner terms, and then the last terms of each binomial. Two quantities in parentheses are being multiplied, the first being: a times x plus b and the second being: c times x plus d. This expression equals ac times x squared plus ad times x plus bc times x plus bd. The terms ax and cx are labeled: First Terms. The terms ax and d are labeled: Outer Terms. The terms b and cx are labeled: Inner Terms. The terms b and d are labeled: Last Terms. The FOIL method is simply just the distributive property. We are multiplying each term of the first binomial by each term of the second binomial and then combining like terms.

How To: Given two binomials, Multiplying Using FOIL

  1. Multiply the first terms of each binomial.
  2. Multiply the outer terms of the binomials.
  3. Multiply the inner terms of the binomials.
  4. Multiply the last terms of each binomial.
  5. Add the products.
  6. Combine like terms and simplify.

Example: Using FOIL to Multiply Binomials

Use FOIL to find the product. [latex-display]\left(2x-18\right)\left(3x + 3\right)[/latex-display]

Answer: Find the product of the first terms. Find the product of the outer terms. Find the product of the inner terms. Find the product of the last terms.

[latex]\begin{array}{cc}6{x}^{2}+6x - 54x - 54\hfill & \text{Add the products}.\hfill \\ 6{x}^{2}+\left(6x - 54x\right)-54\hfill & \text{Combine like terms}.\hfill \\ 6{x}^{2}-48x - 54\hfill & \text{Simplify}.\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Try It

Use FOIL to find the product. [latex-display]\left(x+7\right)\left(3x - 5\right)[/latex-display]

Answer: [latex-display]3{x}^{2}+16x - 35[/latex-display]

Special Cases of Polynomials

Perfect Square Trinomials

Certain binomial products have special forms. When a binomial is squared, the result is called a perfect square trinomial. We can find the square by multiplying the binomial by itself. However, there is a special form that each of these perfect square trinomials takes, and memorizing the form makes squaring binomials much easier. Let’s look at a few perfect square trinomials to familiarize ourselves with the form.
[latex]\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \text{ }{\left(x+5\right)}^{2}& =& \text{ }{x}^{2}+10x+25\hfill \\ \hfill {\left(x - 3\right)}^{2}& =& \text{ }{x}^{2}-6x+9\hfill \\ \hfill {\left(4x - 1\right)}^{2}& =& 4{x}^{2}-8x+1\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
Notice that the first term of each trinomial is the square of the first term of the binomial and, similarly, the last term of each trinomial is the square of the last term of the binomial. The middle term is double the product of the two terms. Lastly, we see that the first sign of the trinomial is the same as the sign of the binomial.

A General Note: Perfect Square Trinomials

When a binomial is squared, the result is the first term squared added to double the product of both terms and the last term squared.
[latex]{\left(x+a\right)}^{2}=\left(x+a\right)\left(x+a\right)={x}^{2}+2ax+{a}^{2}[/latex]

How To: Given a binomial, square it using the formula for perfect square trinomials

  1. Square the first term of the binomial.
  2. Square the last term of the binomial.
  3. For the middle term of the trinomial, double the product of the two terms.
  4. Add and simplify.

Example: Expanding Perfect Squares

Expand [latex]{\left(3x - 8\right)}^{2}[/latex].

Answer: Begin by squaring the first term and the last term. For the middle term of the trinomial, double the product of the two terms.

[latex]{\left(3x\right)}^{2}-2\left(3x\right)\left(8\right)+{\left(-8\right)}^{2}[/latex]

[latex]9{x}^{2}-48x+64[/latex].

Try It

Expand [latex]{\left(4x - 1\right)}^{2}[/latex].

Answer: [latex]16{x}^{2}-8x+1[/latex]

Difference of Squares

Another special product is called the difference of squares which occurs when we multiply a binomial by another binomial with the same terms but the opposite sign. Let’s see what happens when we multiply [latex]\left(x+1\right)\left(x - 1\right)[/latex] using the FOIL method.
[latex]\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \left(x+1\right)\left(x - 1\right)& =& {x}^{2}-x+x - 1\hfill \\ & =& {x}^{2}-1\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
The middle term drops out resulting in a difference of squares. Just as we did with the perfect squares, let’s look at a few examples.
[latex]\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \left(x+5\right)\left(x - 5\right)& =& {x}^{2}-25\hfill \\ \hfill \left(x+11\right)\left(x - 11\right)& =& {x}^{2}-121\hfill \\ \hfill \left(2x+3\right)\left(2x - 3\right)& =& 4{x}^{2}-9\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
Because the sign changes in the second binomial, the outer and inner terms cancel each other out, and we are left only with the square of the first term minus the square of the last term.

Q & A

Is there a special form for the sum of squares? No. The difference of squares occurs because the opposite signs of the binomials cause the middle terms to disappear. There are no two binomials that multiply to equal a sum of squares.

A General Note: Difference of Squares

When a binomial is multiplied by a binomial with the same terms separated by the opposite sign, the result is the square of the first term minus the square of the last term.
[latex]\left(a+b\right)\left(a-b\right)={a}^{2}-{b}^{2}[/latex]

How To: Given a binomial multiplied by a binomial with the same terms but the opposite sign, find the difference of squares

  1. Square the first term of the binomials.
  2. Square the last term of the binomials.
  3. Subtract the square of the last term from the square of the first term.

Example: Multiplying Binomials Resulting in a Difference of Squares

Multiply [latex]\left(9x+4\right)\left(9x - 4\right)[/latex].

Answer: Square the first term to get [latex]{\left(9x\right)}^{2}=81{x}^{2}[/latex]. Square the last term to get [latex]{4}^{2}=16[/latex]. Subtract the square of the last term from the square of the first term to find the product of [latex]81{x}^{2}-16[/latex].

Try It

Multiply [latex]\left(2x+7\right)\left(2x - 7\right)[/latex].

Answer: [latex]4{x}^{2}-49[/latex]

Performing Operations with Polynomials of Several Variables

We have looked at polynomials containing only one variable. However, a polynomial can contain several variables. All of the same rules apply when working with polynomials containing several variables. Consider an example:
[latex]\begin{array}{cc}\left(a+2b\right)\left(4a-b-c\right)\hfill & \hfill \\ a\left(4a-b-c\right)+2b\left(4a-b-c\right)\hfill & \text{Use the distributive property}.\hfill \\ 4{a}^{2}-ab-ac+8ab - 2{b}^{2}-2bc\hfill & \text{Multiply}.\hfill \\ 4{a}^{2}+\left(-ab+8ab\right)-ac - 2{b}^{2}-2bc\hfill & \text{Combine like terms}.\hfill \\ 4{a}^{2}+7ab-ac - 2bc - 2{b}^{2}\hfill & \text{Simplify}.\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Example: Multiplying Polynomials Containing Several Variables

Multiply [latex]\left(x+4\right)\left(3x - 2y+5\right)[/latex].

Answer: Follow the same steps that we used to multiply polynomials containing only one variable.

[latex]\begin{array}{cc}x\left(3x - 2y+5\right)+4\left(3x - 2y+5\right) \hfill & \text{Use the distributive property}.\hfill \\ 3{x}^{2}-2xy+5x+12x - 8y+20\hfill & \text{Multiply}.\hfill \\ 3{x}^{2}-2xy+\left(5x+12x\right)-8y+20\hfill & \text{Combine like terms}.\hfill \\ 3{x}^{2}-2xy+17x - 8y+20 \hfill & \text{Simplify}.\hfill \end{array}[/latex]

Try It

[latex]\left(3x - 1\right)\left(2x+7y - 9\right)[/latex].

Answer: [latex]6{x}^{2}+21xy - 29x - 7y+9[/latex]

Key Equations

perfect square trinomial [latex]{\left(x+a\right)}^{2}=\left(x+a\right)\left(x+a\right)={x}^{2}+2ax+{a}^{2}[/latex]
difference of squares [latex]\left(a+b\right)\left(a-b\right)={a}^{2}-{b}^{2}[/latex]

Key Concepts

  • A polynomial is a sum of terms each consisting of a variable raised to a nonnegative integer power. The degree is the highest power of the variable that occurs in the polynomial. The leading term is the term containing the highest degree, and the leading coefficient is the coefficient of that term.
  • We can add and subtract polynomials by combining like terms.
  • To multiply polynomials, use the distributive property to multiply each term in the first polynomial by each term in the second. Then add the products.
  • FOIL (First, Outer, Inner, Last) is a shortcut that can be used to multiply binomials.
  • Perfect square trinomials and difference of squares are special products.
  • Follow the same rules to work with polynomials containing several variables.

Glossary

binomial
a polynomial containing two terms
coefficient
any real number [latex]{a}_{i}[/latex] in a polynomial of the form [latex]{a}_{n}{x}^{n}+\dots+{a}_{2}{x}^{2}+{a}_{1}x+{a}_{0}[/latex]
degree
the highest power of the variable that occurs in a polynomial
difference of squares
the binomial that results when a binomial is multiplied by a binomial with the same terms, but the opposite sign
leading coefficient
the coefficient of the leading term
leading term
 the term containing the highest degree
monomial
a polynomial containing one term
perfect square trinomial
the trinomial that results when a binomial is squared
polynomial
a sum of terms each consisting of a variable raised to a nonnegative integer power
term of a polynomial
any [latex]{a}_{i}{x}^{i}[/latex] of a polynomial of the form [latex]{a}_{n}{x}^{n}+\dots+{a}_{2}{x}^{2}+{a}_{1}x+{a}_{0}[/latex]
trinomial
a polynomial containing three terms

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  • College Algebra. Provided by: OpenStax Authored by: Abramson, Jay et al.. License: CC BY: Attribution. License terms: Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/[email protected].
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