Polynomials

A polynomial in x is

A polynomial in x is an algebraic expression containing the sum of finite terms of the form ax^n where 'a' is a real number (a ≠ 0) and 'n' is a whole

The highest power of the variable

The highest power of the variable in a polynomial. Linear (degree 1), Quadratic (degree 2), Cubic (degree 3). Example: 3x² + 5x + 2 has degree 2

The result obtained by substituting

The result obtained by substituting a specific value for the variable. If p(x) = x² - 2x + 1, then p(2) = 4 - 4 + 1 = 1

Values of the variable for

Values of the variable for which the polynomial becomes zero. If p(k) = 0, then k is a zero of p(x)

Zeroes are x

Zeroes are x-coordinates where the graph intersects the x-axis. Linear: 1 zero, Quadratic: at most 2 zeroes, Cubic: at most 3 zeroes