MHB Understand Polynomial Terms: Like & Unlike Terms

  • Thread starter Thread starter PeekaTweak
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Polynomial Terms
Click For Summary
Like terms in polynomials are defined as terms that share the same variable and exponent, while unlike terms do not. For example, in the polynomials 3x^2 + 2x - 3 and 5x^3 - 3x + 7, the only like term is the x term, as it appears in both polynomials. The discussion also touches on the idea of constant terms being considered like terms since they can be represented as x^0, though this is not commonly accepted. Understanding these concepts through the lens of set theory can help clarify the relationships between terms in polynomials. Overall, grasping the distinction between like and unlike terms is essential for working with polynomials effectively.
PeekaTweak
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I would like to have someone who would be willing to explain me what is a like term and an unlike term in terms of set theory. I'm just an high-scool student, but I really would like to understand it from that point of view anyway. It doesn't have to be a 1000 pages long of explanations.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
PeekaTweak said:
I would like to have someone who would be willing to explain me what is a like term and an unlike term in terms of set theory. I'm just an high-scool student, but I really would like to understand it from that point of view anyway. It doesn't have to be a 1000 pages long of explanations.
In terms of polynomials (I can't think of how to applied this to sets) a "like" term is a comparison between two terms of the polynomial. For example, consider the two polynomials [math]3x^2 + 2x - 3[/math] and [math]5x^3 - 3x + 7[/math]. The like terms are the terms that are in both polynomials. Here the there is only one like term: the one in x. (I suppose you could call the constant terms "like" as they are both terms in [math]x^0[/math] but I don't think anyone does this.)

-Dan
 

Similar threads

A How to understand when surface terms go to zero
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
I Expression, Terms, Factors, Coefficients, Mono/Bi/Poly HELP
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
MHB Understanding Cubic Equation Formula for Polynomials of Degree Three
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
I Don't understand lemma about primitive polynomial product
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
MHB AI-assisted math learning for adult (long-term) beginner
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Understanding square root of a polynomial
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
I Is there a way to calculate expected value from probabilistic data?
  • · Replies 76 ·
3
Replies
76
Views
6K
I Quintic Polynomial Tschirnhaus Transform: Possible complex Bring Radicals
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
MHB Numerical Integration Scheme: Interpolating Polynomials Explained
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
B Understanding Horner's Method: A Brief Explanation for Confusion
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K