Unit 3 Vocabulary: Exponents and Polynomials

Vocabulary flashcards from Unit 3, covering essential terms related to polynomials and their components.

Exponent

The small number written above and to the right of a base, telling how many times to multiply the base by itself.

Base

The number that is multiplied by itself as many times as indicated by the exponent.

Operation

A mathematical process such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.

Polynomial

An expression made up of terms that are added or subtracted, where each term has a variable raised to a whole number exponent.

Monomial

A polynomial with one term.

Binomial

A polynomial with two terms.

Trinomial

A polynomial with three terms.

Degree of a Polynomial

The highest exponent on the variable in the polynomial.

Leading Term

The term with the highest exponent (when written in standard form).

Leading Coefficient

The coefficient of the leading term.

Constant Term

A term with no variable (just a number).

Standard Form of a Polynomial

Writing the terms from highest degree to lowest degree.

Quadratic

A polynomial of degree 2.

Cubic

A polynomial of degree 3.

Quartic

A polynomial of degree 4.

Quintic

A polynomial of degree 5.