Name:

Polynomials Print Activity

1. Identify the variable in the following polynomial expression.

a. 2x 2 + 4x + 1 Variable: a letter or symbol

representing a quantity in a
polynomial expression.
b. − 3b 2 + 10b − 14
Eg. 9 x − 4 x + 3
2

c. 5q − 9q + 6
2

The variable is x.

2. Circle the coefficients in the following polynomial expressions.

a. 8 x 2 + 5 x − 20 Coefficient: the numerical

factor of a term.

b. − 4 x 2 + 12 x + 7 Eg. 3x − 4 xy + 2

c. − 2n 2 − 6n + 13 The coefficients are 3 and -4.

3. Identify the constant term in each of the following polynomial expressions.

a. 5 x 2 + 10 x + 25 Constant Term: a term that

contains no variable.

b. − 7 n 2 + 9n − 21
Eg. 2 x + 5 x − 6
2

c. − a 2 + 2a + 8 The constant is –6.

4. As seen in the Video Interactive, polynomial expressions are often used to

describe flight paths of objects.
The three objects that are shown are:

_________________, _________________ and a ___________________.

Junior High Math Interactives Page 1 of 2

©2005 Alberta Education (www.LearnAlberta.ca)

Patterns and Relations / Polynomials / Video Interactive / Print Activity

5. The title of each graph is:

_______________________ vs _________________________ Distance.

6. The unit for measuring the distance is _____________.

7. Each graph shows how the object moved, and the equations under the graph
describe the path mathematically. Complete one sample of the interactive, record
the equations, and answer the following questions.

a) Football: y = _________________________________________________

The variable(s) are _______________________

The coefficients are ___________________________________________

The constant term is ____________________

b) Bike: y = ____________________________________________________

The variable(s) are _______________________

The coefficients are ___________________________________________

The constant term is ____________________

c) Skateboard: y = _______________________________________________

The variable(s) are _______________________

The coefficients are ___________________________________________

The constant term is ____________________

8. The constant in each equation defines the height of the object at the beginning of
its flight. Using the equations from question 7, state the beginning height in
meters of the:

a) Football: __________

b) Bike: __________

c) Skateboard: __________

Junior High Math Interactives Page 2 of 2

©2005 Alberta Education (www.LearnAlberta.ca)

Patterns and Relations / Polynomials / Video Interactive / Print Activity