Algebraic Operations on Polynomials
Learning Objectives
- Anatomy of a polynomial
- Identify the degree and leading coefficient of a polynomial
- Evaluate a polynomial for given values
- Sums and Products of Polynomials
- Add and subtract polynomials
- Find the product of polynomials
- Find the product of two binomials using the FOIL method
- Multiply a Trinomial and a Binomial
Anatomy of a Polynomial
In the example on the previous page, we saw how combining the formulas for different shapes provides a way to accurately predict the amount of paint needed for a construction project. The result was a polynomial. A polynomial function is a function consisting of sum or difference of terms in which each term is a real number, a variable, or the product of a real number and variables with an non-negative integer exponents. Non negative integers are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ... You may see a resemblance between expressions and polynomials, which we have been studying in this course. Polynomials are a special sub-group of mathematical expressions and equations. The following table is intended to help you tell the difference between what is a polynomial and what is not.IS a Polynomial | Is NOT a Polynomial | Because |
[latex]2x^2-\frac{1}{2}x -9[/latex] | [latex]\frac{2}{x^{2}}+x[/latex] | Polynomials only have variables in the numerator |
[latex]\frac{y}{4}-y^3[/latex] | [latex]\frac{2}{y}+4[/latex] | Polynomials only have variables in the numerator |
[latex]\sqrt{12}\left(a\right)+9[/latex] | [latex]\sqrt{a}+7[/latex] | Roots are equivalent to rational exponents, and polynomials only have integer exponents |
Given a polynomial expression, identify the degree and leading coefficient.
- Find the highest power of x to determine the degree.
- Identify the term containing the highest power of x to find the leading term.
- Identify the coefficient of the leading term.
Example
For the following polynomials, identify the degree, the leading term, and the leading coefficient.- [latex]3+2{x}^{2}-4{x}^{3}[/latex]
- [latex]5{t}^{5}-2{t}^{3}+7t[/latex]
- [latex]6p-{p}^{3}-2[/latex]
Answer:
- The highest power of x is 3, so the degree is 3. The leading term is the term containing that degree, [latex]-4{x}^{3}[/latex]. The leading coefficient is the coefficient of that term, [latex]-4[/latex].
- The highest power of t is [latex]5[/latex], so the degree is [latex]5[/latex]. The leading term is the term containing that degree, [latex]5{t}^{5}[/latex]. The leading coefficient is the coefficient of that term, [latex]5[/latex].
- The highest power of p is [latex]3[/latex], so the degree is [latex]3[/latex]. The leading term is the term containing that degree, [latex]-{p}^{3}[/latex], The leading coefficient is the coefficient of that term, [latex]-1[/latex].
Monomials | Binomials | Trinomials | Other Polynomials |
15 | [latex]3y+13[/latex] | [latex]x^{3}-x^{2}+1[/latex] | [latex]5x^{4}+3x^{3}-6x^{2}+2x[/latex] |
[latex] \displaystyle \frac{1}{2}x[/latex] | [latex]4p-7[/latex] | [latex]3x^{2}+2x-9[/latex] | [latex]\frac{1}{3}x^{5}-2x^{4}+\frac{2}{9}x^{3}-x^{2}+4x-\frac{5}{6}[/latex] |
[latex]-4y^{3}[/latex] | [latex]3x^{2}+\frac{5}{8}x[/latex] | [latex]3y^{3}+y^{2}-2[/latex] | [latex]3t^{3}-3t^{2}-3t-3[/latex] |
[latex]16n^{4}[/latex] | [latex]14y^{3}+3y[/latex] | [latex]a^{7}+2a^{5}-3a^{3}[/latex] | [latex]q^{7}+2q^{5}-3q^{3}+q[/latex] |
Evaluate a polynomial
You can evaluate polynomials just as you have been evaluating expressions all along. To evaluate an expression for a value of the variable, you substitute the value for the variable every time it appears. Then use the order of operations to find the resulting value for the expression.Example
Evaluate [latex]3x^{2}-2x+1[/latex] for [latex]x=-1[/latex].Answer: Substitute [latex]-1[/latex] for each x in the polynomial.
[latex]3\left(-1\right)^{2}-2\left(-1\right)+1[/latex]
Following the order of operations, evaluate exponents first.[latex]3\left(1\right)-2\left(-1\right)+1[/latex]
Multiply 3 times 1, and then multiply [latex]-2[/latex] times [latex]-1[/latex].[latex]3+\left(-2\right)\left(-1\right)+1[/latex]
Change the subtraction to addition of the opposite.[latex]3+2+1[/latex]
Find the sum.Answer
[latex-display]3x^{2}-2x+1=6[/latex], for [latex]x=-1[/latex-display]Example
Evaluate [latex] \displaystyle -\frac{2}{3}p^{4}+2^{3}-p[/latex] for [latex]p = 3[/latex].Answer: Substitute 3 for each p in the polynomial.
[latex] \displaystyle -\frac{2}{3}\left(3\right)^{4}+2\left(3\right)^{3}-3[/latex]
Following the order of operations, evaluate exponents first and then multiply.[latex] \displaystyle -\frac{2}{3}\left(81\right)+2\left(27\right)-3[/latex]
Add and then subtract to get [latex]-3[/latex].[latex]-54 + 54 – 3[/latex]
Answer
[latex-display] \displaystyle -\frac{2}{3}p^{4}+2p^{3}-p=-3[/latex], for [latex]p = 3[/latex-display]IN the following video we show more examples of evaluating polynomials for given values of the variable.
https://youtu.be/2EeFrgQP1hMAdd and Subtract Polynomials
We can add and subtract polynomials by combining like terms, which are terms that contain the same variables raised to the same exponents. For example, [latex]5{x}^{2}[/latex] and [latex]-2{x}^{2}[/latex] are like terms, and can be added to get [latex]3{x}^{2}[/latex], but [latex]3x[/latex] and [latex]3{x}^{2}[/latex] are not like terms, and therefore cannot be added.Example
Find the sum.[latex]\left(12{x}^{2}+9x - 21\right)+\left(4{x}^{3}+8{x}^{2}-5x+20\right)[/latex]
Answer:
[latex]\begin{array}{cc}4{x}^{3}+\left(12{x}^{2}+8{x}^{2}\right)+\left(9x - 5x\right)+\left(-21+20\right) \hfill & \text{Combine like terms}.\hfill \\ 4{x}^{3}+20{x}^{2}+4x - 1\hfill & \text{Simplify}.\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
Given multiple polynomials, add or subtract them to simplify the expressions.
- Combine like terms.
- Simplify and write in standard form.
Example
Find the difference.[latex]\left(7{x}^{4}-{x}^{2}+6x+1\right)-\left(5{x}^{3}-2{x}^{2}+3x+2\right)[/latex]
Answer:
[latex]\begin{array}{cc}7{x}^{4}-5{x}^{3}+\left(-{x}^{2}+2{x}^{2}\right)+\left(6x - 3x\right)+\left(1 - 2\right)\text{ }\hfill & \text{Combine like terms}.\hfill \\ 7{x}^{4}-5{x}^{3}+{x}^{2}+3x - 1\hfill & \text{Simplify}.\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
Analysis of the Solution
Note that finding the difference between two polynomials is the same as adding the opposite of the second polynomial to the first. In the following video we show more examples of adding and subtracting polynomials. https://youtu.be/jiq3toC7wGMMultiplying Polynomials
Multiplying polynomials is a bit more challenging than adding and subtracting polynomials. We must use the distributive property to multiply each term in the first polynomial by each term in the second polynomial. We then combine like terms. You may have used the distributive property to help you solve linear equations such as [latex]2\left(x+7\right)=21[/latex]. We can distribute the [latex]2[/latex] in [latex]2\left(x+7\right)[/latex] to obtain the equivalent expression [latex]2x+14[/latex]. When multiplying polynomials, the distributive property allows us to multiply each term of the first polynomial by each term of the second. We then add the products together and combine like terms to simplify. The following video will provide you with examples of using the distributive property to find the product of monomials and polynomials. https://youtu.be/bwTmApTV_8o Below is a summary of the steps we used to find the product of two polynomials using the distributive property.How To: Given the multiplication of two polynomials, use the distributive property to simplify the expression.
- Multiply each term of the first polynomial by each term of the second.
- Combine like terms.
- Simplify.
Using FOIL to Multiply Binomials
We can also use a shortcut called the FOIL method when multiplying binomials. It is called FOIL because we multiply the first terms, the outer terms, the inner terms, and then the last terms of each binomial. The FOIL method arises out of the distributive property. We are simply multiplying each term of the first binomial by each term of the second binomial, and then combining like terms.Example
Use FOIL to find the product. [latex](2x-18)(3x+3)[/latex]Answer: Find the product of the first terms. Find the product of the outer terms. Find the product of the inner terms. Find the product of the last terms.
[latex]\begin{array}{cc}6{x}^{2}+6x - 54x - 54\hfill & \text{Add the products}.\hfill \\ 6{x}^{2}+\left(6x - 54x\right)-54\hfill & \text{Combine like terms}.\hfill \\ 6{x}^{2}-48x - 54\hfill & \text{Simplify}.\hfill \end{array}[/latex]
How To: Given two binomials, use FOIL to simplify the expression.
- Multiply the first terms of each binomial.
- Multiply the outer terms of the binomials.
- Multiply the inner terms of the binomials.
- Multiply the last terms of each binomial.
- Add the products.
- Combine like terms and simplify.
Multiply a Trinomial and a Binomial
Another type of polynomial multiplication problem is the product of a binomial and trinomial. Although the FOIL method can not be used since there are more than two terms in a trinomial, you still use the Distributive Property to organize the individual products. Using the distributive property, each term in the binomial must be multiplied by each of the terms in the trinomial. For our first examples, we will show you two ways to organize all of the terms that result from multiplying polynomials with more than two terms. The most important part of the process is finding a way to organize terms.Example
Find the product. [latex]\left(3x+6\right)\left(5x^{2}+3x+10\right)[/latex].Answer: Distribute the trinomial to each term in the binomial. [latex-display]3x\left(5x^{2}+3x+10\right)+6\left(5x2+3x+10\right)[/latex-display] Use the distributive property to distribute the monomials to each term in the trinomials. [latex-display]3x\left(5x^{2}\right)+3x\left(3x\right)+3x\left(10\right)+6\left(5x^{2}\right)+6\left(3x\right)+6\left(10\right)[/latex-display] Multiply. [latex-display]15x^{3}9x^{2}+30x^{2}+18x+60[/latex-display] Group like terms. [latex-display]15x^{3}+\left(9x^{2}+30x^{2}\right)+\left(30x+18x\right)+60[/latex-display] Combine like terms.
Answer
[latex-display]\left(3x+6\right)\left(5x^{2}+3x+10\right)=15x^{3}+39x^{2}+48x+60[/latex-display]Example
Multiply. [latex]\left(3x+6\right)\left(5x^{2}+3x+10\right)[/latex]Answer: Set up the problem in a vertical form, and begin by multiplying [latex]3x+6[/latex] by [latex]+10[/latex]. Place the products underneath, as shown. [latex-display]\begin{array}{r}3x+\,\,\,6\,\\\underline{\times\,\,\,\,\,\,5x^{2}+\,\,3x+10}\\+30x+60\,\end{array}[/latex-display] Now multiply [latex]3x+6[/latex] by [latex]+3x[/latex]. Notice that [latex]\left(6\right)\left(3x\right)=18x[/latex]; since this term is like [latex]30x[/latex], place it directly beneath it. [latex-display]\begin{array}{r}3x\,\,\,\,\,\,+\,\,\,6\,\,\\\underline{\times\,\,\,\,\,\,5x^{2}\,\,\,\,\,\,+3x\,\,\,\,\,\,+10}\\+30x\,\,\,\,\,+60\,\,\\+9x^{2}\,\,\,+18x\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\end{array}[/latex-display] Finally, multiply [latex]3x+6[/latex] by [latex]5x^{2}[/latex]. Notice that [latex]30x^{2}[/latex] is placed underneath [latex]9x^{2}[/latex]. [latex-display]\begin{array}{r}3x\,\,\,\,\,\,+\,\,\,6\,\,\\\underline{\times\,\,\,\,\,\,5x^{2}\,\,\,\,\,\,+3x\,\,\,\,\,\,+10}\\+30x\,\,\,\,\,+60\,\,\\+9x^{2}\,\,\,+18x\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\\\underline{+15x^{3}+30x^{2}\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,}\end{array}[/latex-display] Now add like terms. [latex-display]\begin{array}{r}3x\,\,\,\,\,\,+\,\,\,6\,\,\\\underline{\times\,\,\,\,\,\,5x^{2}\,\,\,\,\,\,+3x\,\,\,\,\,\,+10}\\+30x\,\,\,\,\,+60\,\,\\+9x^{2}\,\,\,+18x\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\\\underline{+15x^{3}\,\,\,\,\,\,+30x^{2}\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,}\\+15x^{3}\,\,\,\,\,\,+39x^{2}\,\,\,\,+48x\,\,\,\,\,+60\end{array}[/latex-display]
Answer
[latex-display]15x^{3}+39x^{2}+48x+60[/latex-display]Example
Find the product. [latex-display]\left(2x+1\right)\left(3{x}^{2}-x+4\right)[/latex-display]Answer: [latex-display]\begin{array}{cc}2x\left(3{x}^{2}-x+4\right)+1\left(3{x}^{2}-x+4\right) \hfill & \text{Use the distributive property}.\hfill \\ \left(6{x}^{3}-2{x}^{2}+8x\right)+\left(3{x}^{2}-x+4\right)\hfill & \text{Multiply}.\hfill \\ 6{x}^{3}+\left(-2{x}^{2}+3{x}^{2}\right)+\left(8x-x\right)+4\hfill & \text{Combine like terms}.\hfill \\ 6{x}^{3}+{x}^{2}+7x+4 \hfill & \text{Simplify}.\hfill \end{array}[/latex-display]
Analysis of the Solution
Another way to keep track of all the terms involved in this product is to use a table, as shown below. Write one polynomial across the top and the other down the side. For each box in the table, multiply the term for that row by the term for that column. Then add all of the terms together, combine like terms, and simplify. Notice how we kept the sign on each term, for example we are subtracting [latex]x[/latex] from [latex]3x^2[/latex], so we place [latex]-x[/latex] in the table.[latex]3{x}^{2}[/latex] | [latex]-x[/latex] | [latex]+4[/latex] | |
[latex]2x[/latex] | [latex]6{x}^{3}\\[/latex] | [latex]-2{x}^{2}[/latex] | [latex]8x[/latex] |
[latex]+1[/latex] | [latex]3{x}^{2}[/latex] | [latex]-x[/latex] | [latex]4[/latex] |
Example
Multiply. [latex]\left(2p-1\right)\left(3p^{2}-3p+1\right)[/latex]Answer: Distribute 2p and -1 to each term in the trinomial.
[latex]2p\left(3p^{2}-3p+1\right)-1\left(3p^{2}-3p+1\right)[/latex]
[latex]2p\left(3p^{2}\right)+2p\left(-3p\right)+2p\left(1\right)-1\left(3p^{2}\right)-1\left(-3p\right)-1\left(1\right)[/latex]
Multiply. (Notice that the subtracted 1 and the subtracted 3p have a positive product that is added.)[latex]6p^{3}-6p^{2}+2p-3p^{2}+3p-1[/latex]
Combine like terms.[latex]6p^{3}-9p^{2}+5p-1[/latex]
Answer
[latex-display]6p^{3}-9p^{2}+5p-1[/latex-display]Licenses & Attributions
CC licensed content, Original
- Evaluate a Polynomial in One Variable. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Revision and Adaptation. Provided by: Lumen Learning License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Ex: Multiplying Using the Distributive Property. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Multiply Binomials Using An Area Model and Using Repeated Distribution. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Multiply Binomials Using the FOIL Acronym. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Divide a Degree 3 Polynomial by a Degree 1 Polynomial (Long Division with Missing Term). Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Screenshot Polynomial Generated Images. Provided by: Lumen Learning License: CC BY: Attribution.
CC licensed content, Shared previously
- Unit 11: Exponents and Polynomials, from Developmental Math: An Open Program. Provided by: Monterey Institute of Technology Located at: https://www.nroc.org/. License: CC BY: Attribution.
- College Algebra. Authored by: Abramson, Jay, et al.. Located at: https://cnx.org/contents/[email protected]:1/Preface. License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright. License terms: Download for free at :http://cnx.org/contents/[email protected]:1/Preface.
- Ex: Intro to Polynomials in One Variable. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) . License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Ex: Adding and Subtracting Polynomials. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Ex: Polynomial Multiplication Involving Binomials and Trinomials. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) . License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Ex 1: Divide a Trinomial by a Binomial Using Long Division. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Ex 6: Divide a Polynomial by a Degree Two Binomial Using Long Division. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) . License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Ex 1: Divide a Trinomial by a Binomial Using Synthetic Division. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) . License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Ex 3: Divide a Polynomial by a Binomial Using Synthetic Division. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) . License: CC BY: Attribution.