A polynomial containing three unlike terms.
Examples
- The expression 3x + y – 8 is a trinomial.
- The expression \(a^{2} + 2ab + b^{2}\) is a trinomial.
Etymological note
The term trinominal is derived from the Greek prefix tri (τρι) meaning three, and from the Greek word nomos (νομοσ), meaning part, portion or division. Therefore, a trinomial is an algebraic expression with three entities, three parts or three elements.