Introduction:

This is a set of guiding questions and materials for creating your own lesson plan on how to introduce polynomials.

Common Core State Standards:

A.APR.1

Learning Objectives:

To simplify polynomials using similar terms.
To add and subtract polynomials.

Guiding Questions:

What do you get when you add two cats and three dogs? Five catdogs?

If Julia has 3 cats and 1 dog and Jeremy has 1 cat and 2 dogs, what can you say about their cats and dogs?
(3c + 1d) + (1c + 2d) = (3c + d) + (c + 2d) = 4c + 3d

What property do we use when we add things? (We add things with the same name.)

What if two cats and one dog from their combined number of pets die? How can we express that?

4c + 3d – 2c – d = 2c + 2d

What name do we give to expressions such as 3c + d?

What is a polynomial? (poly = many; nomial from nomos = portion, part)

Can you give examples of polynomials?

How would you define a polynomial?

How would you add/subtract monomials?

Notes for Teachers:

Emphasize that we add things with the same name. Although not etymologically correct, it might help to associate name with nomial.

Before introducing the formal definition of a polynomial, if at all, have students give their own after encountering different examples of polynomials.

When introducing the basic operations, do them first without variables. For instance, (4+3) – (2+1) = 4+3 – 2 – 1 = 7 – 3 = 4.

Video of the Day:

How to add/subtract polynomials

Simple and effective demonstration on how to add/subtract polynomials.

Polynomial Basics

Additional Resource for Teachers:

If you wish to download the contents of this page as a printable pdf, click here: 7.1 Introduction to Polynomials.pdf