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Overview
Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10
8. Polynomial factoring
8.13 Word problems of polynomials
Polynomial Word Problems
Translate a real situation into a polynomial expression by naming the unknown and writing every quantity in terms of it.
What You'll Learn
A polynomial word problem requires translating words into a polynomial expression.
Name the unknown, then write every other quantity in terms of it.
Combine the quantities with the correct operation, such as multiplying for volume.
If a target value is given, set the polynomial equal to it and solve.
Example: a box with height x, length x+3, width x-2 has volume x cubed + x squared - 6x.
What You'll Practice
1
Finding shaded areas between two circles using difference of squares
2
Subtracting areas and factoring the resulting polynomials
3
Extracting common factors like π from geometric expressions
4
Simplifying area formulas with multiple variable terms
Why This Matters
Polynomial word problems connect algebra to real-world geometry, helping you calculate measurements in construction, design, and engineering. These skills prepare you for advanced math courses and practical applications where you need to find unknown dimensions or optimize spaces.
Before You Start — Make Sure You Can:
This Unit Includes
3 Video lessons
Learning resources
Skills
Polynomials
Factoring
Difference of Squares
Area Calculations
Word Problems
Geometric Applications
Simplification
BC Curriculum Aligned