Chapter 4
Digging Out and Using Roots to Graph Polynomial Functions
In This Chapter
Exploring the factoring of quadratic equations
Solving quadratic equations that you can’t factor
Deciphering and counting a polynomial’s roots
Employing solutions to find factors
Plotting polynomials on the coordinate plane
Ever since those bygone days of algebra, variables have been standing in for unknowns in equations. You’re probably very comfortable with using them by now, so you’re ready to move on and find out how to deal with equations that use multiple terms and figure out how to graph them.
When variables and constants start multiplying, the result is called a monomial, which means “one term.” Examples of monomials include 3, x2, and 4ab3c2. When you start adding and subtracting distinct monomials, you get polynomials, because you create one or more terms. Usually, monomial refers to a polynomial with one term only, binomial refers to two terms, trinomial refers to three, and the word polynomial ...
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