In this resource, you will simplify polynomials. In English, poly- means many, and polynomials are groups of monomials which have been added or subtracted. All of the monomials are called terms of a polynomial. Some polynomials have two terms and are called binomials. Some polynomials have three terms and are called trinomials. An example of a binomial is 5x − 2. An example of trinomial is 9x² + 6x + 1.

Polynomials can be simplified several ways.

1. Algebra Tiles can be used to represent polynomials so that you can simplify polynomials.
2. In addition, combining like terms can be used to simplify polynomials. Like terms are monomials, which have exactly the same variables with exactly the same exponents. For example, 2x and 3x are like terms but 2x² and 3x are not because the exponents are different.
3. Another way to simplify polynomials is to use the distributive property to distribute the term on the outside of the parenthesis by multiplying it by everything inside the parentheses.
4. A last way to simplify polynomials is to use FOIL to multiply binomials times binomials.

In this resource, you will simplify using Algebra Tiles, combining like terms and using the Distributive Property.