What is a polynomial function?

A polynomial function is any function that contains more than one monomial, with non-negative exponents, and only contains addition, subtraction, multiplication or division operations. A monomial is a single term consisting of a coefficient and variable, even if the coefficient is one or the variable is 0 and isn't written explicitly.

Polynomial functions contain a degree that is equal to the greatest exponent on any single monomial. For the polynomial function F(x) = 4*x² + 18, the degree is equal to the exponent 2. Polynomials can be solved for their root(s), which is the one or more values of the variable that cause the overall function to be equal to 0.