Question

when a polynomial has three terms, it is called a ______.
the ______ of a polynomial is often used in calculus and graphical analysis.
the method of structuring expressions by combining like terms under addition or subtraction is known as polynomial ______.

Explanation:

1. A polynomial with exactly three terms is defined as a trinomial.
2. The degree of a polynomial (the highest power of its variable) is critical for calculus operations like differentiation/integration and analyzing graph behavior (e.g., end behavior, number of turning points).
3. Combining like terms through addition or subtraction is the core process of polynomial simplification, often referred to as polynomial addition/subtraction when focusing on the operation structure.

Answer:

1. trinomial
2. degree
3. addition and subtraction (or simplification)