Intermediate Algebra (11th edition)

278 CHAPTER 5 Exponents, Polynomials, and Polynomial Functions

EXERCISES 169 –172

The screen on the left shows how a graphing calculator displays 250,000and 0.000000034in scientific notation. When put in scientific mode, it will calculate and display results as shown in the screen on the right.

Predict the result the calculator will give for each screen. ( Use the usual scientific notation to write your answers.)

169. 170.

171. 172.

TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTS

Simplify each expression. See Section 1.4.

315 +q)- 216 - q 2 176. 7 x- 15 + 5 x 2 + 3

9 x+ 5 x-x+ 8 x- 12 x 6 - 413 - z 2 + 512 - 3 z 2

PREVIEW EXERCISES

OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVE 1 Know the basic definitions for polynomials.Recall from

Chapter 1that a termis a number (constant), a variable, or the product of a number

and one or more variables raised to powers. A term or a sum of two or more terms is an

algebraic expression.The simplest kind of algebraic expression is a polynomial.

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

5.2

1 Know the basic definitions for polynomials. 2 Add and subtract polynomials. Polynomial

A polynomialin xis a term or a finite sum of terms of the form , where ais a

real number and the exponent nis a whole number.

axn

and Polynomials in x, t, and m

Even though the expression involves subtraction, it is a sum of terms, since it

could be written as

For each term of a polynomial, ais called the numerical coefficient,or

just the coefficient,and nis the degree of the term.The table on the next page

gives examples.

axn

3 x+ 1 - 52.

3 x- 5

12 x^9 , 3 t-5, 4 m^3 - 5 m^2 + 8