S1 Topic 3

Polynomials

Level: Key Stage 3

Dimension: Number and Algebra

Module: Observing Patterns and Expressing Generality
Unit: Manipulations of Simple Polynomials

Student ability: Average

Content Objectives:
After completing the activity, students should be able to have a better understanding of the
key concepts and ideas about polynomials.

Language Objectives:
After completing the activity, students should be able to:
 understand the English terms related to polynomials (e.g., polynomials, trinomial,
terms, coefficient, like terms, degree 2, degree 1, degree 0, arrange, ascending
powers, descending powers, variables, identify, simplify and create);
 understand the English expressions for explaining the key concepts related to
polynomials, for example,
- There are 3 terms in 5x2 - 4x + 7. The coefficient of x2 is 5. The coefficient of x is
-4. The constant term is 7.
- We can simplify this polynomial, 3k2 + 2k – 1 – 5k + k2 – 6, first by grouping the
like terms together, and then by simplifying each group of the like terms: (3k2 +
k2) + (2k -5k) + (-1-6) = 4k2 -3k – 7

- In the polynomial x2+5, the degree of x2 is 2 and the degree of 5 is 0.

- This polynomial is arranged in ascending powers of a: 1+2a-3a2.

- This polynomial is arranged in descending powers of a: -3a2+2a+1.

- In 4b3-3b +5, there is only one variable, which is b. The coefficient of b2 in this
polynomial is 0.

 follow English instructions on solving problems concerning this topic and work
on related problems written in English.

S1 Topic 3: Polynomials 1
Prerequisite knowledge:

Students should have learned about like terms and unlike terms, degree of terms, and
polynomials in one variable, through the medium of Chinese.

Time: 1 lesson (40 minutes)

Procedures:

1. Using Chinese as the medium of instruction, the teacher should revise the topic of

polynomials with the students.

2. The teacher should distribute Worksheet A to the students and ask them to complete it.

3. The teacher should then check the answers with the students.

4. The teacher should then distribute Worksheet B to the students.

5. Using English as the medium of instruction, the teacher should then ask the students to

answer the questions in Worksheet B in English.

6. The teacher should then ask 1-2 students to write their polynomials on the board.

7. Finally, the teacher should ask the students to do some calculations on the polynomials

they have created.

Explanatory Notes for Teachers:

1. The first part of the lesson is conducted in Chinese and the second part of the lesson is

conducted in English.

2. The students may refer to Worksheet A if they do not understand the meanings of the

terms in Worksheet B.

3. If the students cannot answer the questions in English, they may give their answers in

Chinese and the teacher should provide the appropriate English answers.

S1 Topic 3: Polynomials 2
工作紙 3.2 – 多項式

1. 在 3x + 1 中, 共有多少項?

我們稱這種多項式做什麼?

其中, x 的係數是什麼?

1 稱為什麼?

2. 在下列各項中, 哪些是同類項?
1
10xyz, y2 mn, 5y2, xyz, mn , 3m2n
2

3. 在多項式 5x2yz2 + 10z3 – 4xyz +7 中,

5x2yz2 的次數是什麼?

10z3 的次數是什麼?

– 4xyz 的次數是什麼?

7 的次數是什麼?

多項式 5x2yz2 + 10z3 – 4xyz +7 的次數是什麼?

4. x3+2x2-x 的排列次序稱為什麼?

1-3x+5x2-x3 的排列次序稱為什麼?

只有一個變數的多項式稱為什麼?

把下列多項式以降冪的次序排列: 4 x  5x 3  6  7 x 2

把上題多項式以升冪的次序排列.

5. 化簡下列各式.
6a + 5a – a =

4m +3k – 2m + k =

6xy – 3x – 4xy + 6x =

S1 Topic 3: Polynomials 3
 Worksheet 3.2 – Polynomials

1. There are 3 terms in 5x2 - 4x + 7. This kind of polynomial is called trinomial.

The coefficient of x2 is 5.
The coefficient of x is -4.
The constant term is 7.

a) How many terms are there in 6x2 +8x -9? ___________

What is the coefficient of x2? ___________
What is the coefficient of x? ___________
What is the constant term? ___________

b) The type of polynomials as 11x2 – x – 12 is called_____________.

The _____________ of x2 is 11.
The _____________ term is -12.
____________ is the coefficient of x.

2. a) Identify the like terms in the following.

bc
2a, 3b, , 5a2, 6bc, 7b2, - a2 ,
4

b) Find the sum of the like terms in the previous question.

c) Simplify the following polynomial:

3k2 + 2k – 1 – 5k + k2 – 6

3. In the polynomial x2+5, the degree of x2 is 2 and the degree of 5 is 0.

a) In 6abc2 – 7a2b2 + 8c3 -1,
what is the degree of the term 8c3? ____________

what is the degree of -1? ____________

which terms have degree 4? ____________

what is the degree of the polynomial? ____________

S1 Topic 3: Polynomials 4
 b) In 5mn 2  10 mn  3m  6 ,
which term has degree 1? _____________
which term has degree 2? _____________
which term has degree 0? _____________

4. a) Arrange 2a +1-3a2 in ascending powers of a.

Arrange 2a +1-3a2 in descending powers of a.

b) What do we call the kind of arrangement of powers of x in 10-11x+9x2?

What do we call this kind of arrangement in 7x3-8x-3?

____________________________________

Arrange the following polynomial in descending powers of x:

13 x 2  14 x 5  15 x  16  17 x 3

Arrange the previous polynomial in ascending powers of x.

c) How many variables are there in -3b+4b3+5? _________________

Which one is the variable? _________________

Arrange the terms in descending powers. _________________

Arrange the terms in ascending powers. _________________

What is the coefficient of b2? _________________

5. Simplify the following polynomials.

x – 2xy + xy – y =

3x + 6x2 –x +5x3 - 3x2 =

6. Create one polynomial with 4 terms in descending powers.

____________________________________________

S1 Topic 3: Polynomials 5
 Suggested Answers
工作紙 3.2
1. 2, 二項式, 3, 常數項
1
2. 10xyz 和 xyz, y2 和 5y2, mn 和 mn
2
3. 5, 3, 3, 0, 5
4. 降冪, 升冪, 一元多項式, 5 x 3  7 x 2  4 x  6 , 6  4 x  7 x 2  5x 3
5. 10a, 4k + 2m, 2xy + 3x

Worksheet 3.2
1. a) 3, 6, 8, -9
b) Trinomial, coefficient, constant, -1
bc
2. a) 4 and 6bc, 5a2 and – a2

bc 25
b) + 6bc = bc
4 4

5a2 + (- a2) = 4a2

c) (3k2 + k2) + (2k -5k) + (-1-6)

= 4k2 -3k – 7
3. a) 3, 0, 6abc2 and – 7a2b2, 4
b) 3m, -10mn, -6
2 2
4. a) 1+2a-3a , -3a +2a+1
b) Ascending powers, Descending powers,
14 x 5  17 x 3  13 x 2  15 x  16 ,  16  15 x  13 x 2  17 x 3  14 x 5
c) One, b, 4b3-3b+5, 5-3b+4b3, 0

5. x – xy – y, 5x3 + 3x2 +3x

6. Any polynomial with 4 terms in descending powers

S1 Topic 3: Polynomials 6