In algebra, an expression consisting of numbers and variables grouped according to certain patterns.
Specifically, polynomials are sums of monomials of the form a x n , where a (the coefficient) can be any real number and n (the degree) must be a whole number. A polynomial's degree is that of its monomial of highest degree. Like whole numbers, polynomials may be prime or factorable into products of primes. They may contain any number of equation ; equating it to a variable results in a polynomial function , a particularly useful tool in modeling physical situations. Polynomial equations and functions can be analyzed completely by methods of algebra and calculus . See also {{link=orthogonal polynomials">orthoganal polynomial .