Polynomials And Factoring Study Cards

Enhance Your Learning with Polynomials and Factoring Flash Cards for quick understanding



Polynomial

An algebraic expression consisting of variables, coefficients, and exponents, combined using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and non-negative integer exponents.

Degree

The highest exponent of the variable in a polynomial. It determines the complexity and behavior of the polynomial.

Coefficient

The numerical factor of a term in a polynomial. It is multiplied by the variable(s) and exponent(s).

Monomial

A polynomial with only one term. It can be a constant, a variable, or a product of constants and variables.

Binomial

A polynomial with two terms. It can be a sum or difference of two monomials.

Trinomial

A polynomial with three terms. It can be a sum or difference of three monomials.

Polynomial Addition

The process of combining like terms in polynomials by adding their coefficients.

Polynomial Subtraction

The process of combining like terms in polynomials by subtracting their coefficients.

Multiplying Monomials

The process of multiplying the coefficients and adding the exponents of variables when multiplying monomials.

Multiplying Polynomials

The process of multiplying each term of one polynomial by each term of another polynomial and combining like terms.

Factoring

The process of expressing a polynomial as a product of its factors. It helps in simplifying and solving polynomial equations.

Greatest Common Factor (GCF)

The largest factor that divides evenly into two or more terms. It is used to factor out common terms from a polynomial.

Factoring by Grouping

The process of grouping terms in a polynomial and factoring out the greatest common factor from each group.

Factoring Quadratic Trinomials

The process of factoring trinomials of the form ax^2 + bx + c, where a ≠ 0, by finding two binomials whose product is the trinomial.

Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials

The process of factoring trinomials of the form a^2 + 2ab + b^2 or a^2 - 2ab + b^2, where a and b are constants.

Factoring Difference of Squares

The process of factoring expressions of the form a^2 - b^2, where a and b are constants.

Factoring Sum or Difference of Cubes

The process of factoring expressions of the form a^3 ± b^3, where a and b are constants.

Rational Root Theorem

A theorem that helps in finding rational roots (zeros) of a polynomial equation by considering the factors of the constant term and the leading coefficient.

Synthetic Division

A method used to divide a polynomial by a linear binomial of the form (x - c), where c is a constant.

Polynomial Long Division

A method used to divide a polynomial by another polynomial of higher degree, similar to long division of numbers.

Quadratic Equation

An equation of the form ax^2 + bx + c = 0, where a ≠ 0. It can be solved using factoring, completing the square, or the quadratic formula.

Completing the Square

A method used to solve quadratic equations by adding a constant term to both sides of the equation to create a perfect square trinomial.

Discriminant

The expression b^2 - 4ac in the quadratic formula. It determines the nature of the roots (real, imaginary, or equal) of a quadratic equation.

Roots of a Quadratic Equation

The values of x that satisfy a quadratic equation. They can be real, imaginary, or equal depending on the discriminant.

Vertex Form of a Quadratic Equation

A form of a quadratic equation given by y = a(x - h)^2 + k, where (h, k) represents the vertex of the parabola.

Standard Form of a Quadratic Equation

A form of a quadratic equation given by ax^2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants and a ≠ 0.

Graphing Quadratic Equations

The process of plotting points and sketching the graph of a quadratic equation, which forms a parabola.

End Behavior of Polynomials

The behavior of the graph of a polynomial as x approaches positive or negative infinity. It is determined by the degree and leading coefficient of the polynomial.

Zeros of a Polynomial

The values of x that make a polynomial equal to zero. They can be real or complex.

Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

A theorem that states that every polynomial equation of degree n has exactly n complex roots, counting multiplicities.

Descartes' Rule of Signs

A rule that helps in determining the possible number of positive and negative real roots of a polynomial equation by examining the signs of its coefficients.

Upper and Lower Bounds

The range of possible values for the roots of a polynomial equation, determined by the rational root theorem and Descartes' rule of signs.

Polynomial Inequalities

Inequalities involving polynomials, where the goal is to find the values of x that satisfy the inequality.

Interval Notation

A way to represent the solution set of an inequality using intervals on the number line.

Absolute Value Inequalities

Inequalities involving absolute value expressions, where the goal is to find the values of x that satisfy the inequality.

Piecewise Functions

Functions defined by different rules or formulas for different intervals or subdomains of the input variable.

Applications of Polynomials

Real-world problems and scenarios that can be modeled and solved using polynomial equations and functions.

Polynomial Regression

A statistical method used to fit a polynomial function to a set of data points, allowing for curve fitting and prediction.

Optimization Problems

Problems that involve finding the maximum or minimum value of a quantity, often modeled using polynomial functions.

Roots and Factors

The relationship between the roots (zeros) and factors of a polynomial equation, where the roots are the x-intercepts of the graph and the factors are the linear expressions.

Complex Numbers

Numbers of the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit (√(-1)). They are used to represent solutions to equations with no real roots.

Conjugate Pairs

Pairs of complex numbers of the form a + bi and a - bi, where a and b are real numbers. They have the same real part and opposite imaginary parts.

Polynomial Division

The process of dividing a polynomial by another polynomial to find the quotient and remainder.

Partial Fractions

The process of decomposing a rational function into simpler fractions, often used in integration and solving differential equations.

Polynomial Functions

Functions defined by polynomial equations, where the input variable is raised to non-negative integer powers and multiplied by coefficients.

End Behavior of Polynomial Functions

The behavior of the graph of a polynomial function as x approaches positive or negative infinity. It is determined by the degree and leading coefficient of the polynomial.

Turning Points

Points on the graph of a polynomial function where the direction of the graph changes from increasing to decreasing or vice versa.

Local Extrema

Points on the graph of a polynomial function where the function reaches a maximum or minimum value within a specific interval.

Polynomial Symmetry

The property of a polynomial function where the graph exhibits symmetry with respect to the y-axis, x-axis, or origin.

Polynomial End Behavior

The behavior of the graph of a polynomial function as x approaches positive or negative infinity. It is determined by the degree and leading coefficient of the polynomial.

Graphing Polynomial Functions

The process of plotting points and sketching the graph of a polynomial function, which exhibits various behaviors based on its degree and leading coefficient.