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What is a polynomial, and when is it considered to be one?

A polynomial consists of different terms (they are divided by plus and minus signs). And to know if it is a polynomial, you'll have to look for the following :

• Constants, (2, -20, 0.5)
• Variables, (a, xy, x) Each different letter is a variable, even if it is written next to each other, and if there are more than one of the same variables then you only write it once.
• Exponents, (y^2)

^ : Meaning to the power of

For example :

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This is known as a trinomial.

This polynomial consists out of 3 terms and also consists out of a constant, variables and exponents. So we have full proof that this is a polynomial.

Types of polynomials :

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How many terms must there be for it to be a polynomial?

It doesn't matter how many terms there are for it to be a polynomial. It can be one, two, three, etc. 

Complete the following by just writing down how many terms, constants, variables and exponents there is.

1.  3xy - 4yz + 2xz
2.  52x^3 - 19y^5
3.  5x^3 - 8x + 3x^5 + 4x^2 - 7x^4 + 1
4.  3x5 - 2x3 - 4x + 7a - 9

Answers will be revealed in my next post.

Here is a video just to explain better if you do not understand:

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