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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Mathematics » Overview on polynomials

Overview on polynomials

Polynomials are algebraic expressions that comprise of variables and coefficients, and they are used to solve problems. In some cases, variables are referred to as indeterminates.

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An expression composed of indeterminates (also known as variables) and coefficients, a polynomial is a mathematical expression that includes only the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and non-negative integer exponentiation of variables. A polynomial with a single indeterminate x is represented by the expression x2 – 4x + 7. For instance, in three variables, the expression x3 + 2xyz2 – yz + 1.

Polynomials can be found in a wide variety of areas of mathematics and science. Examples include the formation of polynomial equations, which encode a wide range of problems ranging from elementary word problems to complex scientific problems; the definition of polynomial functions, which appear in a variety of settings from basic chemistry and physical science to economics and social science; and the approximate representation of other functions in calculus and numerical analysis. Polynomials are used to construct polynomial rings and algebraic varieties, which are fundamental concepts in algebra and algebraic geometry. In advanced mathematics, polynomials are used to construct polynomial rings and algebraic varieties.

Classification:

Degree of an indeterminate in a term is defined as the exponent on that indeterminate within that term; the degree of a term is defined as the sum of the degrees of the indeterminates within that term; and the degree of a polynomial is defined as the largest degree of any term with a nonzero coefficient. Indeterminates with no written exponent have a degree of one because the value of x equals the value of x1.

Polynomials with a small degree of degree have been given specific names in mathematics. A polynomial of degree zero is referred to as a constant polynomial, or simply a constant in mathematical terms. Linguistic polynomials of degree one, degree two, and degree three are known as linear polynomials, quadratic polynomials, and cubic polynomials, respectively. Higher degrees are not commonly referred to by their specific names, although the terms quartic polynomial (for degree four) and quintic polynomial (for degree five) are occasionally used instead. Each of the degrees has its own set of names, which can be applied to either the polynomial or its terms. Example: The term 2x in the equation x2 + 2x + 1 is a linear term in the equation of a quadratic polynomial.

A real polynomial is a polynomial with real coefficients, which is a type of polynomial. When it is used to define a function, the domain of the function is not restricted in the same way. A real polynomial function, on the other hand, is a function from the reals to the reals that is defined by a real polynomial in the reals. The same is true for complex polynomials, which are polynomials with complex coefficients.

Applications:

Polynomials are commonly used to encode information about another object, such as a person or a place. The characteristic polynomial of a matrix or linear operator contains information about the eigenvalues of the matrix or linear operator in question. In algebraic elements, the minimal polynomial of an algebraic element is the algebraic relation that is satisfied by the element in the simplest form. For any graph, the chromatic polynomial represents how many different colours can be used to represent that graph.

Additionally, the adjective “polynomial” can be used to describe quantities or functions that can be expressed in polynomial form. For example, in computational complexity theory, the phrase polynomial time refers to the fact that the amount of time it takes to complete an algorithm is bounded by a polynomial function of some variable, such as the amount of data that has been entered.

Properties of polynomials:

The following are some of the most important properties of polynomials, as well as some of the most important polynomial theorems:

Division algorithm:

A polynomial P(x) divided by a polynomial G(x) produces a quotient Q(x) with a remainder R(x). If this is the case, then

              P(x) = G(x) • Q(x) + R (x)

Bezout’s theorem:

If and only if P(a) = 0, then the polynomial P(x) is divisible by the binomial (x – a).

Remainder theorem:

The product P(x) is divided by (x – a) with a remainder of r, and the product P(a) equals r.

Factor theorem:

If and only if Q(x) is a factor of P, the division of a polynomial P(x) by a polynomial Q(x) results in the polynomial R(x) with zero remainder. 

Property 5:

P and Q are combined in a polynomial in which the terms are as follows: addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Degree(P ± Q) ≤ Degree(P or Q)

Degree(P × Q) = Degree(P) + Degree(Q)

Property 6:

Because every zero of a polynomial P is divisible by a polynomial Q, a zero of Q is equivalent to a zero of P.

Property 7:

Assume that the polynomial P is divisible by two coprime polynomials, Q and R, and that the polynomial P is divisible by (Q • R).

Conclusion:

Polynomials are algebraic expressions that comprise of variables and coefficients, and they are used to solve problems. An expression composed of indeterminates (also known as variables) and coefficients, a polynomial is a mathematical expression that includes only the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and non-negative integer exponentiation of variables. 

Polynomials can be found in a wide variety of areas of mathematics and science. Examples include the formation of polynomial equations, which encode a wide range of problems ranging from elementary word problems to complex scientific problems. Polynomials are used to construct polynomial rings and algebraic varieties, which are fundamental concepts in algebra and algebraic geometry.

The degree of a polynomial is defined as the largest degree of any term with a nonzero coefficient. A real polynomial function, on the other hand, is a function from the reals to the reals that is defined by a real polynomial in the reals.the adjective “polynomial” can be used to describe quantities or functions that can be expressed in polynomial form.

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What is the definition of a polynomial?

Ans :  Generally speaking, a polynomial is an expression tha...Read full

In a polynomial, what are the terms, degrees, and exponents to look for?

Ans :  If 2x2...Read full

What is the polynomial's standard form, and how does it work?

Ans :  A standard polynomial is one in which the first term ...Read full

Is the number 8 a polynomial?

Ans : In the polynomial expression, the number 8 can be repre...Read full

Ans :  Generally speaking, a polynomial is an expression that contains variables (or indeterminate), terms, exponents, and constants as constituents. For example, the polynomial 3x2 -2x-10. 

 

Ans :  If 2x2 – 3x +19 is a polynomial, then the following is true:

Terms: 2x2,-3x & 19.

degrees: 2 (the highest exponent of variable x)

Exponents: The power raised to the variable x, for example, 2 and 1.

Ans :  A standard polynomial is one in which the first term is the term with the highest degree, and the remaining terms follow in the same order. For example, the polynomial x3 – 3x2 + x -12 is a standard polynomial of the third degree. As a result, the highest degree awarded is 3, followed by 2 and then 1.

Ans : In the polynomial expression, the number 8 can be represented as 8x0 or 0x2+0x+8, respectively. As a result, we can consider the number 8 to be a polynomial.

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