polynomial

American  

[pol-uh-noh-mee-uhl] / ˌpɒl əˈnoʊ mi əl /

adjective

1. consisting of or characterized by two or more names or terms.

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noun

1. Algebra.

   1. (in one variable) an expression consisting of the sum of two or more terms each of which is the product of a constant and a variable raised to an integral power: ax 2 + bx + c is a polynomial, where a, b, and c are constants and x is a variable.

   2. a similar expression in more than one variable, as 4 x 2 y 3 − 3 xy + 5 x + 7.

   3. Also called multinomial.  Now Rare. any expression consisting of the sum of two or more terms, as 4 x 3 + cos x.

2. a polynomial name or term.

3. Biology. a species name containing more than two terms.

polynomial British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈnəʊmɪəl /

adjective

1. of, consisting of, or referring to two or more names or terms

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noun

1. 1. a mathematical expression consisting of a sum of terms each of which is the product of a constant and one or more variables raised to a positive or zero integral power. For one variable, x , the general form is given by: a 0 xn + a 1 xn ^–1 + … + an –1 x + an , where a 0 , a 1 , etc, are real numbers

   2. Also called: multinomial.  any mathematical expression consisting of the sum of a number of terms

2. biology a taxonomic name consisting of more than two terms, such as Parus major minor in which minor designates the subspecies

polynomial Scientific  

/ pŏl′ē-nō′mē-əl /

1. An algebraic expression that is the sum of two or more monomials. The expressions x ² − 4 and 5 x ⁴ + 2 x ³ − x + 7 are both polynomials.

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Etymology

Origin of polynomial

First recorded in 1665–75; poly- + (bi)nomial

Explanation

In math, a polynomial is a mathematical expression that contains two or more algebraic terms that are added, subtracted, or multiplied (no division allowed!). Polynomial expressions include at least one variable and typically include constants and positive exponents as well. The expression x² − 4x + 7 is a polynomial. You can break the word polynomial into parts to understand it more clearly. Poly means "many" in Greek, and nomial comes from the Latin nomen, or "name." In a mathematical context, this becomes "many terms." There are a few other rules about polynomials (exponents must be positive integers, for example), and your math teacher can fill you in on them.

Example Sentences

Polynomial functions can have repeated zeros, so the fact that number is a zero doesn’t preclude it being a zero again.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

Polynomial equations of degree one are linear equations are of the form ax + b = c.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

Factor the Greatest Common Factor from a Polynomial: To factor a greatest common factor from a polynomial: Step 1.

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020

Polynomial division can be used to solve application problems, including area and volume.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

Polynomial, pol-i-nō′mi-al, n. an algebraic quantity of many names or terms—same as multinomial—also Pol′ynome.—adj. of many names or terms.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various