The second chapter in Maths NCERT book of class 9th is Polynomials. Building upon the basics learnt in chapter 1 Number system, Polynomials is another important chapter in class 9th syllabus which also holds significance going forward in the higher classes. In simple words, a polynomial is an algebraic expression containing various terms which has variables with different powers.

Example – x² − 4x + 7

In the example above, it is a polynomial with a single variable with an algebraic expression that has 3 terms of the variable (x) with different powers (two, one and zero).

Some students might get a bit flustered seeing this for the first time but with time and practice, it will lay down the foundation for many more topics to come. Hence, it is important that students pay full attention to the Polynomials chapter and understand it as well as they can as it will come in handy not only in 9th class but in higher classes too.

Here are some ways you can study the chapter Polynomials in class 9th –

•  Skim through the NCERT first –

To get the basics of any chapter when first beginning to read it, it is best to read it from NCERT than any other book because, in NCERT, the chapter is explained in a really easy manner which will ensure that you are able to understand the concepts and ideas that are essential in the chapter Polynomials. The way Polynomials are structured in NCERT is really great to understand the chapter from the start, with definitions, explained at the start, followed up by examples to comprehend the definitions with more complex topics later on based on the learnt concepts.

• Grasp important concepts and definitions –

When understanding the chapter Polynomials, it is essential that you grasp the important concepts and definitions that are given in the chapter, such as variables, constants, coefficients, zero polynomials, factors, zero of a polynomial to name a few. These concepts are significant in understanding the topics that come later on in the chapter and developing your basics. Hence, don’t skip out on these definitions and concepts thinking that they are boring and not useful as they are the exact opposite of that – exciting and very useful.

• Don’t ignore theory given in NCERT –

There is also a theory given in the chapter Polynomials that introduces a student to the chapter and the topics that are important in the chapter. The theory explains these definitions and topics in a very effortless manner making it easier for the student reading it to understand the topic in the first go. The theory tries to explain the concepts in innovative and interesting ways, which engages the student reading it and explains the concept really easily.

•  Pay attention to the solved examples –

After learning the concepts and basics of the chapter, make sure to focus on the solved examples that are given after any concept is explained with the questions based on the concept explained immediately before. These examples help in interpreting the theory you read about the topic and giving you a variety of questions that are asked based on that topic, also explaining the way in which these questions are meant to be solved, thus enhancing the logical and problem-solving thinking of the student.

Some solved examples have been asked in previous exams directly which bears evidence to the importance of paying attention to these examples.

•  Work out the questions given in exercises –

After learning the way questions have to be solved through solved examples, students should solve the questions given in the various exercises given in between the chapter Polynomials, which will give them more question practice and help them in mastering the topic further. Solving these questions and then checking from the back of the book that your answer is correct, gives the student immeasurable confidence in the concerned topic, making them more interested in the chapter.  

•  For more practice, solve from RS Aggarwal –

When the students are thorough with the NCERT for Polynomials, they should refer to reference books such as RD Sharma or RS Aggarwal to get more question practice of the chapter. Solving more and more questions would uncover a wider variety of questions based on the chapter to them so that they are able to understand how to attempt different types of questions beforehand. If they are unable to solve the problems given for Polynomials, they can refer to Polynomials RS Aggarwal Class 9 Maths Solutions.

•  Understand the important theorems – remainder and factor

In the Polynomials chapter, there are some important theorems given that are essential with the exam point of view – The remainder theorem and the Factor theorem. It might first be difficult to understand these theorems but students should keep at it and try to understand them using the examples that are given after they are explained. Questions carrying high marks are often asked from these topics in the exam, making it furthermore essential to understand these theorems perfectly.      

•  Memorize the various algebraic identities given –

In Polynomials, there is a lot of use of the algebraic identities that are given in the chapter later on. Using these algebraic identities makes it easier to solve some questions which might have required a lot more work without them. Algebraic identities are basically algebraic expressions that are true for every value of the variables present in the expression. Hence, remembering these identities is a must for every student so that they are able to remember them when giving exams.

•  Write important formulas and identities in notes copy –

For the important formulas and identities given in the Polynomials chapter, students should write them down in a separate note copy so that they are able to revise these identities and formulas whenever they get the time to do so.

•  Glance at summary given at the end of the chapter –

After the chapter ends, there is a summary of the chapter given in the NCERT book, which summarizes all the important definitions and formulas that you have learnt in Polynomials. Hence, students should glance at this summary once they are done with the chapter to recall what they learnt in the chapter.

GOOD LUCK!