Which statement best describes a polynomial term?

• A. A sum of two monomials.
• B. A monomial with a nonzero coefficient.
• C. A constant term with zero coefficient.
• D. A polynomial must contain at least two terms.

Answer: (B)

A polynomial term is a single piece: a monomial, which is a constant times a variable to a nonnegative integer power. It counts as a term only if its coefficient is nonzero, because zero would contribute nothing to the polynomial. So a typical term looks like 4x^3 or just 7 (a constant term, since x^0 = 1). This is why the best description is a monomial with a nonzero coefficient.

If you had something like 0x^2, that would vanish and isn’t a term you’d include in the polynomial. A polynomial can also be a single term, not necessarily a sum of at least two terms, which is why the other statements don’t fit as precisely.