Ch 4 Review - Polynomials

Front

What is a polynomial?

Back

A polynomial is a mathematical expression consisting of variables, coefficients, and non-negative integer exponents, combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Front

What is the degree of a polynomial?

Back

The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable in the expression.

Front

What does it mean for a polynomial to be factored?

Back

Factoring a polynomial means expressing it as a product of its factors, which are polynomials of lower degrees.

Front

What is the Remainder Theorem?

Back

The Remainder Theorem states that when a polynomial f(x) is divided by (x - c), the remainder is f(c).

Front

How do you determine if (x - c) is a factor of a polynomial?

Back

To determine if (x - c) is a factor of a polynomial, evaluate the polynomial at c. If f(c) = 0, then (x - c) is a factor.

Front

What is synthetic division?

Back

Synthetic division is a simplified method of dividing a polynomial by a linear factor of the form (x - c).

Front

What is the factored form of a polynomial?

Back

The factored form of a polynomial expresses it as a product of its linear factors and/or irreducible polynomials.

Front

What is end behavior of a polynomial?

Back

End behavior describes the behavior of the graph of a polynomial function as x approaches positive or negative infinity.

Front

What is the significance of the leading coefficient in a polynomial?

Back

The leading coefficient determines the direction of the graph's end behavior and the degree of the polynomial.

Front

What is a zero of a polynomial?

Back

A zero of a polynomial is a value of x for which the polynomial evaluates to zero.