1. Lesson 4.1 Understanding Polynomial Expressios
Examples of monomials
5 (a constant)
x (a variable)
5x (product of a constant and a variable)
xy (a product of variables)

2. These are NOT monomials
x + y (a sum of 2 variables or a binomial)
(Must have a whole number exponent)

3. Polynomials and Degrees
A polynomial can be a monomial, or the sum of monomials.
(This is an example of a binomial)
Degree of a polynomial.
Constants do not have a degree.
The first term has a degree of = 3
The second term has a degree of = 7
Therefore the degree of the entire polynomial above is 7.
What is the degree of the trinomial

4. Classify each by the its degree and the number of terms.

5. Writing Polynomials in Standard Form
Standard form of a polynomial is written by terms in descending order of the degree.
Write each in standard form.

6. Simplify each by combining like terms.