polynomial

(definition)

Definition: (1) Any function which is the sum of constants times powers of the argument: f(x)=Σ_i=0^k c_ix^p_i. (2) In complexity theory, the measure of computation, m(n) (usually execution time or memory space), is bounded by a polynomial function of the problem size, n. More formally m(n) = O(n^k).

See also logarithmic, linear, exponential.

Note: Strictly speaking, a linear function is a polynomial with the highest exponent being 1, and a logarithmic function is a polynomial with fractional exponents. However polynomial usually means exponents greater than 1.

Author: PEB

More information

An explanation of how quadratic and other polynomials got their names.

Go to the Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures home page.

If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul Black.

Entry modified 17 December 2004.
HTML page formatted Mon Feb 2 13:10:40 2015.

Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "polynomial", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Vreda Pieterse and Paul E. Black, eds. 17 December 2004. (accessed TODAY) Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/polynomial.html