polynomial noun A mathematical expression made up of variables and coefficients combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The teacher asked students to factor the polynomial into two simpler terms. + monomial noun A mathematical expression consisting of a single term, such as a number, a variable, or their product. The expression 5x squared is a monomial because it contains only one term. + binomial noun (math) An algebraic expression consisting of two terms connected by a plus or minus sign. In algebra class, we learned to expand the binomial (x + y) squared. + trinomial noun An algebraic expression made up of three terms connected by addition or subtraction. The expression x squared plus three x plus two is a simple trinomial. + term noun A word or phrase with a specific meaning, especially within a particular subject or field. The textbook defines every technical term in a glossary at the back. + coefficient noun A numerical or constant factor that multiplies a variable in a mathematical expression. In the equation 3x + 2, the number 3 is the coefficient of x. + variable noun A symbol that represents a value that may change or is not yet known. In x + 4 = 9, the variable x represents 5. + exponent noun In mathematics, a number placed above and to the right of another number, showing how many times it is multiplied by itself. In the expression 2 to the power of 3, the exponent 3 tells us to multiply 2 by itself three times. + degree noun A unit for measuring angles or temperature, or an academic qualification awarded after completing a course of study. She earned a degree in chemistry before starting her research career at the university lab. + constant adjective Occurring continuously or remaining the same without change over time. The constant noise from the construction site made it hard to concentrate. + expression noun A word, phrase, or look that conveys a particular meaning, feeling, or idea. Her puzzled expression clearly showed that she hadn't understood the joke. + equation noun A mathematical statement asserting that two expressions are equal in value. Students learned to solve for x in a simple linear equation. + factor noun A number multiplied by another number to produce a product; for integers, a factor divides another integer without a remainder. In 3 × 8 = 24, both 3 and 8 are factors of 24. + factoring noun The process of breaking a number or algebraic expression down into simpler factors that multiply together. Factoring the equation revealed that x could equal either two or negative three. + root noun The part of a plant that grows underground, absorbing water and nutrients and anchoring it in the soil. The tree's roots had grown so large they were beginning to crack the sidewalk. + solution noun A uniform mixture in which one or more substances are dissolved in another. Stirring the salt into water produced a clear solution. + standard form noun A way of writing a very large or very small number as a value between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten. In standard form, the distance to the sun is written as 1.5 x 10 to the 8th kilometers. + leading coefficient noun The coefficient of the term with the highest power in a polynomial written in standard form. In the polynomial 3x^2 + 5x - 2, the leading coefficient is 3. + like terms noun In algebra, terms that contain the same variables raised to the same powers, so they can be combined by addition or subtraction. In the expression 4x + 3y - x, the terms 4x and -x are like terms. + distribute verb To give out or spread something among a number of people or places. Volunteers distributed food and blankets to families after the flood. + expand verb To become larger in size, volume, or scope, or to make something larger. The company plans to expand its operations into three new countries next year. + simplify verb To make something easier to understand or do by removing unnecessary complexity. The teacher simplified the instructions so that younger students could follow them. + quadratic adjective Involving a variable raised to the second power, as in an equation of the form ax squared plus bx plus c. Students learned to solve a quadratic equation by factoring or using the quadratic formula. + cubic adjective Relating to volume measured in three dimensions, or having the shape of a cube. The tank holds ten cubic meters of water when completely full. + linear adjective Arranged in or resembling a straight line; progressing in a single, direct sequence. The graph showed a linear relationship between the hours studied and the test scores. + remainder noun The part of something that is left over after the rest has been used, removed, or accounted for. He spent the remainder of the afternoon cleaning out the garage. + divisor noun A number by which another number is divided. In the equation twenty divided by four equals five, four is the divisor. + dividend noun A sum of money paid regularly by a company to its shareholders from its profits. The company increased its quarterly dividend after a strong year of sales. + graph noun A visual diagram showing the relationship between two or more sets of data, typically using axes and points or lines. The graph showed a steady rise in average temperatures over the past decade. + function noun The particular purpose or role that something has, or the way it works. The main function of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body. +