Michigan Algebra I Sept. 2012

Linear and quadratic equations are examples of polynomials. These were studied in earlier units. The following are also examples of polynomials:

Notice that the terms are written in descending order of the variables' exponents. The polynomial, 4x³ + 2x² - x + 5, has four terms. The coefficient of 4x³ is 4, the coefficient of 2x² is 2, the coefficient of -3x is -3, and the constant is 1.