polynomial

Definition

An expression consisting of a sum of a finite number of terms, each term being the product of a constant coefficient and one or more variables raised to a non-negative integer power, such as a_nxⁿ+a_n-1xⁿ⁻¹+...+a_0x⁰.

Etymology

From poly- + -nomial, from νομός (nomós, “portion, part”), by analogy with binomial.

Example Sentences

• "Unfortunately, an analogous attack on the octic polynomial becomes exceedingly complicated."
• "Our upper bound is the best possible, and it implies the existence of low-rank factorizations of positive semidefinite bivariate matrix polynomials and representations of biforms as sums of few squares."
• "Alternatively, there are polynomials denoting stages of the day: tónglóng 曈昽 “ light at daybreak”; or meteorological phenomena, such as wùsōng 雾凇 “(soft) rime”, àidài 叆叇 “ (of clouds) dense”."