What is a trinomial?

What is a trinomial?

• A. It has three terms
• B. It has two terms
• C. It has four terms
• D. It has one term

Answer: (A)

A trinomial is a polynomial expression that has exactly three terms. Each term is a nonzero part joined by plus or minus signs. For example, x^2 + 4x + 7 has three parts: x^2, 4x, and 7, so it’s a trinomial. If you only have two parts, that’s a binomial; one part is a monomial; four parts make a polynomial with four terms. Remember, terms are counted by nonzero pieces, so a zero coefficient doesn’t add another term.

A trinomial is a polynomial expression that has exactly three terms. Each term is a nonzero part joined by plus or minus signs. For example, x^2 + 4x + 7 has three parts: x^2, 4x, and 7, so it’s a trinomial. If you only have two parts, that’s a binomial; one part is a monomial; four parts make a polynomial with four terms. Remember, terms are counted by nonzero pieces, so a zero coefficient doesn’t add another term.