In school maths, a polynomial is a group of pieces written with + or − between them. Each piece is a number, or a number times a letter, or a number times a letter with a small whole-number power, like 3x² + 2x − 1. The letter is only a stand-in for a number you have not chosen yet.

In school maths在學校數學裡, a polynomial is a group of pieces written with + or − between thempolynomial是一組用+或−連接起來的項。Each piece is a number每一項可以是一個數字, or a number times a letter或是數字乘以一個字母, or a number times a letter with a small whole-number power或是數字乘以帶有小整數次方的字母, like 3x² + 2x − 1例如3x² + 2x − 1。The letter is only a stand-in for a number you have not chosen yet這個字母只是代替一個你還沒決定的數字。

People also talk about a polynomial equation, when that whole group is set equal to something — though actually the polynomial itself is the group of pieces, not the “equals” part.

People also talk about a polynomial equation人們也會說polynomial equation, when that whole group is set equal to something也就是把整組式子設為等於某個值——though actually不過其實 the polynomial itself is the group of piecespolynomial本身只是那組項, not the “equals” part不包含「等於」的部分。

You can use the word as an adjective too: a polynomial function is a function built this way. It is classroom language from junior high up, not a word you need in the shop.

You can use the word as an adjective too你也可以把這個字當形容詞用: a polynomial function is a function built this waypolynomial function就是用這種方式建構出來的函數。It is classroom language from junior high up這是從國中開始會用到的課堂用語, not a word you need in the shop不是逛街時需要的字。

A polynomial may have one piece or many; the name just says the pieces are of this special kind.

A polynomial may have one piece or manypolynomial可能只有一項，也可能有很多項; the name just says the pieces are of this special kind這個名稱只是說明這些項屬於這種特殊的種類。