Polynomial Operations to Know for Algebra 1

Understanding polynomial operations is key in Algebra 1, College Algebra, and Elementary Algebra. These operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and factoring—help simplify expressions and solve equations, making them essential tools for mastering algebraic concepts.

1. Addition of polynomials

   • Combine like terms by adding their coefficients.
   • Ensure all terms are aligned by their degree for clarity.
   • The result is a new polynomial that retains the highest degree of the original polynomials.

2. Subtraction of polynomials

   • Distribute the negative sign across the polynomial being subtracted.
   • Combine like terms by subtracting their coefficients.
   • The resulting polynomial reflects the difference of the original polynomials.

3. Multiplication of polynomials

   • Use the distributive property (FOIL for binomials) to multiply each term.
   • Combine like terms in the resulting polynomial.
   • The degree of the resulting polynomial is the sum of the degrees of the multiplied polynomials.

4. Division of polynomials

   • Use long division or synthetic division to divide the polynomials.
   • The result includes a quotient and possibly a remainder.
   • Ensure the divisor is in standard form for accurate division.

5. Factoring polynomials

   • Identify common factors in the polynomial terms.
   • Use techniques such as grouping, the difference of squares, or the quadratic formula.
   • Factoring simplifies polynomials and is essential for solving equations.

6. Simplifying polynomial expressions

   • Combine like terms to reduce the expression to its simplest form.
   • Eliminate any unnecessary parentheses by applying the distributive property.
   • Ensure the polynomial is expressed in standard form (descending order of degree).

7. Evaluating polynomials

   • Substitute the given value for the variable into the polynomial.
   • Perform the arithmetic operations according to the order of operations (PEMDAS).
   • The result is a numerical value representing the polynomial at that specific input.

8. Finding the degree of a polynomial

   • The degree is the highest exponent of the variable in the polynomial.
   • A polynomial can be classified as constant (degree 0), linear (degree 1), quadratic (degree 2), etc.
   • The degree indicates the polynomial's behavior and the number of roots it may have.

9. Identifying like terms

   • Like terms have the same variable raised to the same power.
   • Only the coefficients of like terms can be combined during addition or subtraction.
   • Recognizing like terms is crucial for simplifying polynomials effectively.

10. Using the distributive property with polynomials

    • Apply the distributive property to multiply a single term by each term in a polynomial.
    • This property is essential for expanding expressions and simplifying calculations.
    • It helps in both addition and multiplication of polynomials, ensuring clarity in operations.