A polynomial term is a term where the variable contains a non-negative integer power. (The non-negative integers consist of the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on.)

Some examples of polynomial terms include x^2, \qquad \dfrac 1 3 x^6,\qquad x, \qquad 1.

Let's go through each one:

  • x^{\color{blue}2} is a polynomial term because the power of the variable is {\color{blue}2} , a non-negative integer.

  • \dfrac{1}{3} x^{\color{blue}6} is a polynomial term because the power of the variable is {\color{blue}6} , which is also a non-negative integer. The coefficient of \dfrac 1 3 isn't important.

  • x is a polynomial term because it can be thought of as x^{\color{blue}1}. So the power of the variable is {\color{blue}1} , which is a non-negative integer.

  • Finally, 1 is a polynomial term because it can be expressed as 1\cdot x^{\color{blue}0}. So the power of the variable is {\color{blue}0} , which is a non-negative integer.

On the other hand, the following expressions are not polynomial terms because their powers are not non-negative integers:

4x^{-2}, \qquad x^{1/3}, \qquad {\sqrt{\color{black}x}}, \qquad {\dfrac{\color{black}1}{x^3}}.

To see why, let's go through each one:

  • 4x^{\color{red}-2} is not a polynomial term because the power of the variable is {\color{red}-2} , which is negative.

  • x^{\color{red}1/3} is not a polynomial term because the power of the variable is {\color{red}1/3} , which is not an integer.

  • \sqrt x is not a polynomial term because it can be written as x^{\color{red}1/2}. So the power of the variable is {\color{red}1/2} , which is not an integer.

  • Finally, \dfrac 1 {x^3} is not a polynomial term because it can be written as x^{-\color{red}3}. So the power of the variable is {\color{red}-3} , which is negative.

FLAG

Which of the following is a polynomial term?

  1. 5\sqrt{x}
  2. \dfrac{1}{2}x^4
  3. \dfrac{2}{x^2}
EXPLANATION

Remember that a polynomial term is a term where the variable contains a non-negative integer power. (The non-negative integers consist of 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on.)

With that in mind, let's take a look at each term.

  • Expression I is not a polynomial term since 5\sqrt x = 5x^{1/2}. Here, x is raised the power of 1/2, which is not an integer.

  • Expression II is a polynomial term since the variable x is raised the power of 4 , which is indeed a non-negative integer number.

  • Expression III is not a polynomial because \dfrac 2 {x^2} = 2x^{-2}. Here, x is raised the power of -2, which is negative.

In conclusion, only expression II is a polynomial term.

FLAG

Which of the following is a polynomial term?

  1. $-x$
  2. $3\sqrt x$
  3. $\dfrac 1 {x^2}$
a
I and III only
b
I and II only
c
I only
d
III only
e
II and III only

Which of the following is a polynomial term?

  1. $2x$
  2. $2 \sqrt{x}$
  3. $\dfrac{1}{2}x^2$
a
I, II and III
b
I and III only
c
III only
d
I only
e
I and II only

A polynomial is a sum of polynomial terms, such as x^2 -5x +3, \qquad x^3 + x^2 - 9x, \qquad 4x^4 -2x^2, \qquad 3x^6 - 2x^3+x^2-1.

FLAG

Which of the following expressions is a polynomial?

  1. 3 - 3x^2 + 3x^3
  2. \sqrt{3} + x^2
  3. 3\sqrt{x} + 1.1x
EXPLANATION

Let's look at each statement in turn.

  • Expression I is a polynomial because all terms are polynomial terms.

  • Expression II is a polynomial because both terms are polynomial terms. Even though \sqrt{3} has a square root, the square root is not on the variable. It can be written as \sqrt{3} x^0, in which case the variable is raised to a non-negative integer power.

  • Expression III is not a polynomial because 3\sqrt{x} is not a polynomial term. It is equivalent to 3x^{1/2}, in which case the exponent on the variable is not an integer.

In conclusion, only expressions I and II are polynomials.

FLAG

Which of the following is NOT a polynomial?

a
$t+\sqrt{2}$
b
$\sqrt{t}+1$
c
$t^2-1$
d
$\dfrac{t}{2}-1$
e
$\dfrac{t}{\sqrt{2}}+1$

Which of the following is a polynomial?

  1. $-\dfrac x 3 + \sqrt{2} x^2$
  2. $2x^4 - 3$
  3. $3x^{2/3} - \sqrt{3} x$
a
I only
b
II and III only
c
II only
d
I and III only
e
I and II only

To evaluate a polynomial at a specific value of x, we substitute the value of x into the polynomial and simplify.

For example, to evaluate the polynomial 2x^2+3 at x=5, we substitute x=5 into the expression and simplify: \begin{align*} 2x^2+3 &= \\[5pt] 2(5)^2 +3 &= \\[5pt] 2(25) +3 &= \\[5pt] 50 +3 &= \\[5pt] 53 \end{align*}

FLAG

Evaluate the polynomial x^3 +4x^2 -3 at x=-1.

EXPLANATION

We substitute x=-1 into the polynomial and simplify: \begin{align*} x^3 +4x^2 -3 &= \\ (-1)^3 +4(-1)^2 -3 &= \\ -1 +4(1) -3 &= \\ -1 +4 -3 &= \\ 0 \end{align*}

FLAG

Evaluate the polynomial $-2x^3-3$ at $x=2.$

a
$-13$
b
$3$
c
$1$
d
$-19$
e
$-16$

Evaluate the polynomial $x^2-2x+1$ at $x=5.$

a
$21$
b
$16$
c
$5$
d
$11$
e
$1$

Given the polynomial f(x) = 4x^2-5x, what is f(-2)?

EXPLANATION

We substitute x=-2 into the expression for f(x) and simplify: \begin{align*} f(x) &= 4x^2-5x \\ f(-2) &= 4(-2)^2-5(-2) \\ &= 16+10 \\ &= 26 \end{align*}

Therefore, f(-2)=26.

FLAG

Given the polynomial $g(x)=\dfrac{1}{2}x^2+2x-5,$ $g(-4)=$

a
$-9$
b
$11$
c
$-11$
d
$-5$
e
$-21$

Given the polynomial $f(x)=3x^2-2x+1,$ $f(2)=$

a
$17$
b
$16$
c
$2$
d
$1$
e
$9$
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