(definition)
Definition: (1) Any function which is the sum of constants times powers of the argument: f(x)=Σi=0k cixpi. (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(nk).
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
An explanation of how quadratic and other polynomials got their names.
If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul E. Black.
Entry modified 17 December 2004.
HTML page formatted Tue Dec 6 16:16:32 2011.
Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "polynomial", in
Dictionary of Algorithms and Data
Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed.,
U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology. 17 December 2004. (accessed TODAY)
Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/polynomial.html
