Understanding Polynomials

Key Terms1. Binomial – sum of two monomials.

2. Trinomial – the sum of three monomials.

3. Degree of a monomial – the sum of the exponents of all its variables. A nonzero constant has a degree of 0.

4. Degree of a polynomial – the greatest degree of any term in the polynomial

5. Standard form of a polynomial – the terms are written in order from greatest degree to least degree.

6. Leading coefficient – the coefficient of the first term, after it is written in standard form.