Chapter 8. Polynomial Equations

In this chapter, you examine a number of operations you can perform to solve polynomial equations. To start things off, you review the definition of a polynomial. To identify polynomials, you also examine monomial, binomial, and trinomial expressions. Given a basic definition of what counts as a polynomial, you then proceed to work with different operations that pertain to polynomials. Among the more involved of these operations are those dealing with multiplication and division. One approach to dividing one polynomial by another involves using long division. Among helpful approaches to multiplication is the FOIL approach. Along with the FOIL approach, it is helpful to be familiar with equations dealing with the sums and differences of binomials. Among the topics covered in this chapter are the following:

• Why a monomial usually does not feature a negative exponent

• Working with curves characteristic of nonlinear functions

• Terms that are important to know when you work with polynomials

• How to use a model from arithmetic to perform multiplication

• Dealing with terms in a formalized manner

• How to use long division for polynomials