I can create a concrete model or a pictorial representation for a given polynomial expression.
I can write the expression for a given model of a polynomial.
Term Coefficient Variable Polynomial Like Terms Constant Degree
____________________ A number with no variable
____________________The highest exponent of a variable in a polynomial
____________________An expression made up of terms joined by + or – signs
____________________A letter that represents an unknown number
____________________The number multiplied by the variable in a term
____________________Terms with the same variable(s) and exponents
____________________A single part of an expression, made up of numbers and/or variables
A polynomial is a mathematical expression with one or more terms.
Each term includes a coefficient (number), a variable, and sometimes an exponent.
Like terms have the same variables and exponents and can be combined.
Term
Definition
Example
Term
A single part of an expression, made up of numbers and/or variables
3x, -2x², 7
Coefficient
The number multiplied by the variable in a term
In 5x, 5 is the coefficient
Constant
A number with no variable
In x² + 3x – 7, the constant is –7
Variable
A letter that represents an unknown number
x, y, z
Exponent
The power to which a variable is raised
In x², 2 is the exponent
Polynomial
An expression made up of terms joined by + or – signs
x² + 2x – 1
Monomial
A polynomial with 1 term
5x
Binomial
A polynomial with 2 terms
3x + 4
Trinomial
A polynomial with 3 terms
x² – 2x + 1
Degree
The highest exponent of a variable in a polynomial
In 3x² + x + 1, the degree is 2
Like Terms
Terms with the same variable(s) and exponents
2x and –5x are like terms
Using the expression on the board, label each of the parts
4x² – 2x + 3
Like terms are terms that have:
The same variable(s)
The same exponent(s)
Degree 2 (x²) → Notice a degree of 2 has an exponent of 2
Degree 1 (x) → Notice a degree of 1 has an exponent of 1
Constants (no variable)
✅ You can only combine like terms.
Highlight like terms using different colours based on its degree.
3x² + 4x – 2 + x² – 6x + 5
Using Polypad, sort the algebra tiles into "like terms" or tiles that are the same.