Algebra

by Boundless

A polynomial is an expression of finite length constructed from variables and constants, using only the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and non-negative integer exponents. • A polynomial is either zero or can be written as the sum of a finite number of non-zero terms. Each term consists of the product of a constant (called the coefficient of the term) and a finite number of variables (usually represented by letters) raised to whole number powers. • Polynomials can be added or subtracted using the associative law of addition (grouping all their terms together into a single sum), possibly followed

and the constant term (or free term). The term "quadratic" comes from quadratus, which is Latin for "square." Quadratic equations can be solved by factoring, completing the square, graphing, Newton's method, and using the quadratic formula. Examples of graphed quadratic equations