Polynomials and Algebraic Expressions

Polynomials and Algebraic Expressions

1. Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

   • Terms of an algebraic expression can be classified into two in terms of their variables, the like terms and the unlike terms.
     • Like terms are terms whose literal coefficients are the same.​ Otherwise, they are called unlike terms. (Note: Numerical coefficients may differ in like terms)
       • Similar or like terms can be combined into a single term.
         • Therefore similar or like terms can be combined by: Adding the numerical coefficients of the terms, then​ Affixing the answer in step 1 to the common literal coefficients of the like terms.​

2. Polynomials

   • Polynomial comes from poly- (meaning "many") and -nomial (meaning "term") ...​ so, it says "many terms".
     • Expressions with the following are not polynomials:​ fractional exponent in the variable​, variable in the denominator,​ variable with negative exponents​