Term information
In mathematics, a polynomial is an expression of finite length constructed from variables (also known as indeterminates) and constants, using only the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and non-negative integer exponents. For example, x2 4x + 7 is a polynomial, but x2 4/x + 7x3/2 is not, because its second term involves division by the variable x (4/x) and because its third term contains an exponent that is not a whole number (3/2). The term 'polynomial' indicates a simplified algebraic form such that all polynomials are similarly simple in complexity (cf. polynomial time). ... A polynomial equation is an equation in which a polynomial is set equal to another polynomial. 3x^2 + 4x -5 = 0 \, is a polynomial equation. source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynomial_equation#Polynomial_equations