Polynomials – Notes

Polynomials in One Variable

 The general form of a polynomial in one variable is represented as p(x) = a_nxⁿ + a_n-1x^n-1 + … a₁x¹ + a₀

Where:

• a_n, a_n-1, …., a₁, a₀ are real numbers,
• The exponents of each terms are whole numbers and
• The highest exponent, n, is the degree of the polynomial, if a_n

If p(x) is a polynomial and k is real number and if p(k) = 0, then k is called the zero of the polynomial.

Two methods to determine the zero of polynomial are:

• Trial and error
• Equating polynomial to zero