SAT - algebra .
Polynomials
Definitions :
Monomials : is a number or variable or a product of numbers and variables
Example :
-5 , 7 , x , y , -xy , -5xyz , 7x3 , πr2
NOTES :
1. The number that appears in front of the variables in a monomial is called the
coefficient.
2. If there is no number in front of a variable, the coefficient is 1 or –1, because x
means 1x and –xy means –1xy
3. the coefficient always appears before the variables: 7xy.
Polynomials : the sum of two or more monomials.
Example :
7x2 , 2x2 + 3 , 3x2 - 7 , x2+2x - 1
NOTE : Each monomial that makes up a polynomial is called a term of the polynomial.
Example : evaluate -3x2y - (x - 2y ) when x = -2 and y = ½
Simplify the polynomials :
1. Add and subtract the polynomials .
- We can add/subtract the like terms .
- like terms mean terms have exactly the same variables and exponents .
- They like terms that can differ only in their coefficients .
Example : simplify the following :
a. 7a2b − 5a2b + 3b2a
b. 7x2 + 4x – 2x + 3x2 + x – 2
c. Add 2x2 + 3x – 7 and 5x 2 – 4x + 12
d. Subtract 5x 2 – 4x + 12 , 2x 2 + 3x – 7
2. Multiply the polynomials .
● To multiply monomials, first multiply the coefficients, and then
multiply their variables (one by one) by adding their exponents.
Example :
a. (z4) x (z3)
b. (5xy) x (y)
c. (8y2) x (xy)
d. (z3) x (9z)
● To multiply two polynomials, multiply each term in the first
polynomial by each term in the second polynomial and simplify by
combining terms, if possible.
Example : multiply the following and simplify if it possible :
a. (2x - 7 )(3x+2)
b. (x + 3)(x2 + 2x - 5 )
Important :
For the Math 1 test, the three most important binomial
products are :
● (x – y)(x + y) = x 2 – y 2
● (x – y)2 = x2 – 2xy + y2
● (x + y)2 = x2 + 2xy + y2
Example : If a – b = 5 and a + b = 17, what is the value of a2 – b2 ?
● Dividing polynomials
To divide a polynomial by a monomial, divide each term by the monomial.
Then simplify each term by reducing the fractions formed by the
coefficients to lowest terms and applying the laws of exponents to the
variables.
Example :
a. Divide (12x3y2 – 3xyz) by 6x2y
b. Divide (18x4y2z2 + 36x6y3z ) by 9x4yz
● Factorizing .
1. The first step in factoring a polynomial is to look for the greatest
common factor of all the terms and, if there is one, to use the
distributive property to remove it.
Example : try to factor the following
a. 12x2y + 8xyz
b. x3 + x2 – 12x
2. Not all factoring about finding the greatest common factor , some time is
just about finding two binomials whose product is that trinomial.
Example : try to factor the following :
a. x2 + 12x + 36
b. x2 + 3x – 18
c. 2x2 + 6x – 36
d. x3 + x2 – 12x
e. x4 – 1
