Transcript Introductory Algebra - James Q. Jacobs, Anthropology

Introductory Algebra
Glossary
Unit Four
polynomial
A term or a finite sum of terms in
which all coefficients are real,
all variables have whole
number exponents, and no
variables appear in
denominators.
descending powers
A polynomial in one variable is
written in descending powers of
the variable if the exponents on
the terms of the polynomial
decrease from left to right.
degree of a term
The sum of the exponents on the
variables in the term.
degree of a polynomial
The greatest degree of any of the
terms in the polynomial.
trinomial
A polynomial with exactly three
terms.
binomial
A polynomial with two terms.
monomial
A polynomial with only one term.
parabola
The graph of a second-degree
(quadratic) equation in two
variables is called a parabola.
vertex
The point on a parabola that has
the smallest y-value (if the
parabola opens upward) or the
largest y-value (if the parabola
opens downward).
axis of a parabola
(axis of symmetry)
The vertical or horizontal line
through the vertex.
line of symmetry
The axis of a parabola is a line of
symmetry for the graph. It is a line
that can be drawn through the
graph in such a way that the part of
the graph on one side of the line is
an exact reflection of the part on
the opposite side.
outer product
When multiplying two
binomials (A + B)(C + D)
the outer product is AD.
inner product
When using the FOIL method to
multiply two binomials
(A + B)(C + D)
the inner product is BC.
FOIL
FOIL is a method for multiplying two
binomials (A + B)(C + D).
Multiply First terms AC, Outer terms
AD, Inner terms BC, and Last
terms BD.
Then combine like terms.
scientific notation
A number expressed in the form
a x 10n, where 1 £ |a| < 10 and n
is an integer.
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Introductory Algebra
Created by
James Q. Jacobs