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Naming

We can categorize polynomials based on two characteristics that every polynomial has:  degree, and number of terms.

Definition:  The degree of a polynomial is the highest degree of any of its terms.  Remember that the degree of a term is the sum of the exponents acting on the term’s variables.

Let’s look at two charts that will help us name certain polynomials:

Degree Name
0 constant
1 linear
2 quadratic
3 cubic
4 Quartic
5 Quantic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Terms Type of Polynomial
1 monomial
2 binomial
3 trinomial

 

 

 

 

To name a polynomial, simply find the name for its degree, find the name for the number of terms it has, and you’re done.  It’s that easy.  Let’s try some examples.

Example:  Name each polynomial by degree and number of terms

  1. \( - {n^3}\)
  2. \( - 5\)
  3. \(1\)
  4. \(6{x^4} + {x^3} + 9x\)

Solution:

  1. The degree is 3, and the number of terms is 1.  This is a cubic monomial.
  2. The degree is 1 (since no exponent shown means an exponent of 1) and the number of terms is 1.  So this is a constant monomial.
  3. The degree is 1 (for the same reason as in 2.) and the number of terms is 1.  Again, we have a constant monomial.
  4. The degree is 4 (highest degree on a term) and the number of terms is 3.  This is a quartic trinomial.

Below you can download some free math worksheets and practice.


Downloads:
5070 x

Name each polynomial by degree and number of terms.

This free worksheet contains 10 assignments each with 24 questions with answers.

Example of one question:

Polynomials-Naming-easy

Watch below how to solve this example:

 

Downloads:
4022 x

Name each polynomial by degree and number of terms.

This free worksheet contains 10 assignments each with 24 questions with answers.

Example of one question:

Polynomials-Naming-medium


Watch below how to solve this example:

 

Downloads:
4713 x

Name each polynomial by degree and number of terms.

This free worksheet contains 10 assignments each with 24 questions with answers.

Example of one question:

Polynomials-Naming-hard


Watch below how to solve this example:

 
 
 

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