A polynomial is an expression with positive integer indices. An \(n^{th}\) degree polynomial is a polynomial with the highest power being \(n\).

For example:

• A second degree polynomial (quadratic) has the form \(ax^2+bx+c, a\ne0\)
• A third degree polynomial (cubic) has the form \(ax^3+bx^2+cx+d, a\ne0\)
• A fourth degree polynomial (quartic) has the form \(ax^4+bx^3+cx^2+dx+e, a\ne0\)