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Trinomial Definition

A trinomial is a polynomial consisting of three terms or monomials which are not like terms. Examples of trinomials include: x2 + 4x - 6, 4x5 - 3x4 + x3, and a2b + 6x + c.

Trinomial Expressions

Examples of trinomial expressions:

  • 3x + 5y + 8z with x,y,z variables.

  • 3t + 9s2 + 3y3 with t,s,y variables.

  • 3ts + 9t + 5s with t,s variables.

  • Axaybzc + Bt + Cs with x,y,z,t,s variables, a,b,c nonnegative integers and A,B,C any constants.

  • Pxa + Qxb + Rxc where x is variable and constants a,b,c are nonnegative integers and P,Q,R any constants.

Trinomial Equation

A trinomial equation is a polynomial equation involving three terms. An example is the equation x = q + xm studied by Johann Heinrich Lambert in the 18th century. Some notable trinomials include:

  • Sum or difference of two cubes:

    • (a3 ± b3) = (a ± b)(a2 ∓ ab + b2)

  • A special type of trinomial can be factored in a manner similar to quadratics since it can be viewed as a quadratic in a new variable (xn below). This form is factored as:

    • x2n + sxn + p = (xn + a1)(xn + a2),

    • Where:

      • a1 + a2 = s.

      • a1 ∙ a2 = p.

  • For example, the polynomial (x2 + 3x + 2) is an example of this type of trinomial with n = 1. The solution a1 = 2 and a2 = 1 of the above system gives the trinomial factoring:

    • (x2 + 3x + 2) = (x + a1)(x + a2) = (x + 2)(x + 1).

  • The same result can be provided by the Ruffini's rule, but with a more complex and time-consuming process.

Related Definitions

Sources

“Trinomial.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Oct. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinomial.

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