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# Polynomials and Factoring

## Count terms to identify polynomials

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Recognize and Identify Monomials, Binomials and Trinomials

Sam saw this expression in his math book.

x28\begin{align*}x^2-8\end{align*}

He isn’t sure how to classify this expression. Do you know?

In this concept, you will learn to recognize and identify monomials, binomials and trinomials.

### Monomials and Polynomials

Sometimes, an expression or an equation will have exponents and variables in it. These expressions and equations can have more than one variable and sometimes more than one exponent. To understand how to work with these variables and exponents, you have to understand polynomials. A polynomial is an algebraic expression that shows the sum of monomials.

A monomial is an expression in which variables and constants may stand alone or be multiplied. A monomial cannot have a variable in the denominator. You can think of a monomial as being one term.

To understand these new terms better, let’s look at some word prefixes. The chart below shows some common terms and the meaning of their prefixes.

In math these prefixes are used often. Each prefix will give a hint as to the type of expression that you are dealing with. The prefix mono, for example, means one, a monomial is a single piece or term.

Here are some monomials:

5x32x5x2y\begin{align*}5 \quad \quad x^3 \quad \quad -2x^5 \quad \quad x^2y\end{align*}

The prefix poly means many. So the word polynomial refers to one or more than one term in an expression. The relationship between these terms may be sums or difference.

Here are some polynomials:

x2+52x8+4x57a2+9b4b3+6\begin{align*}x^2+5 \quad \quad 2x-8+4x^5 \quad \quad -7a^2+9b-4b^3+6\end{align*}

You call an expression with a single term a monomial, an expression with two terms is a binomial, and an expression with three terms is a trinomial. An expression with more than three terms is named simply by its number of terms. For example a polynomial with five terms is called a five-term polynomial.

From the information above, you can name the expressions as follows:

### Examples

#### Example 1

Earlier, you were given a problem about Sam. Sam has the expression x28\begin{align*}x^2-8\end{align*} and needs to classify it.

First, count the number of terms. In this expression there are two terms.

Next, classify the expression based on the number of terms. Two terms means it is a binomial.

#### Example 2

How would you identify the following expression?

4x28y+4\begin{align*}4x^2-8y+4\end{align*}

First, consider how many terms are in the expression.

This expression has three terms.

Therefore, this expression is called a trinomial.

#### Example 3

Identify the expression 4x38\begin{align*}4x^3-8\end{align*}.

First, consider how many terms are in the expression.

This expression has two terms.

#### Example 4

Identify the expression x2+3x+9\begin{align*}x^2+3x+9\end{align*}.

First, consider how many terms are in the expression.

This expression has three terms.

#### Example 5

Identify the expression 6xy\begin{align*}6xy\end{align*}.

First, consider how many terms are in the expression.

This expression has one term.

### Review

Use the chart to identify each term with the correct label.

 Number of Terms 1 2 3 4 Name monomial binomial trinomial four-term polynomial Expression −2x5\begin{align*}-2x^5\end{align*} x2+5\begin{align*}x^2+5\end{align*} 3x−8+4x5\begin{align*}3x-8+4x^5\end{align*} −7a2+9b−4b3+6\begin{align*}-7a^2+9b-4b^3+6\end{align*}

1. 4x2\begin{align*}4x^2\end{align*}

2. 3x+7\begin{align*}3x+7\end{align*}

3. 9x2+6y\begin{align*}9x^2+6y\end{align*}

4. x2+2y2+8\begin{align*}x^2+2y^2+8\end{align*}

5. 5c3\begin{align*}5c^3\end{align*}

6. 3x2+4x+3y2+7\begin{align*}3x^2+4x+3y^2+7\end{align*}

7. 4x+3xy+9\begin{align*}4x+3xy+9\end{align*}

8. 2x2+7y+9\begin{align*}2x^2+7y+9\end{align*}

9. 14xy\begin{align*}14xy\end{align*}

10. 4x2+5x9\begin{align*}4x^2+5x-9\end{align*}

11. 5x34x2+3x10\begin{align*} 5x^3-4x^2+3x-10\end{align*}

12. 4x\begin{align*}4x\end{align*}

13. 16x+4\begin{align*}16x+4\end{align*}

14. 18x2+5x8\begin{align*}18x^2+5x-8\end{align*}

15. 9xyz\begin{align*}9xyz\end{align*}

16. 5xy6x\begin{align*}5xy-6x\end{align*}

17. 18x29x\begin{align*}18x^2-9x\end{align*}

### Notes/Highlights Having trouble? Report an issue.

Color Highlighted Text Notes

### Vocabulary Language: English

TermDefinition
Binomial A binomial is an expression with two terms. The prefix 'bi' means 'two'.
Monomial A monomial is an expression made up of only one term.
Polynomial A polynomial is an expression with at least one algebraic term, but which does not indicate division by a variable or contain variables with fractional exponents.
Trinomial A trinomial is a mathematical expression with three terms.