Definition:Polynomial over Ring as Function on Free Monoid on Set

Definition

Let $R$ be a commutative ring with unity.

Let $M$ be the free commutative monoid on the indexed set $\left\{{X_j: j \in J}\right\}$.

A polynomial in $\left\{{X_j: j \in J}\right\}$ can be defined as a mapping $f: M \to R$ of finite support.

That is, it is an element of the ring of polynomial forms.

Also see

• Definition:Polynomial over Ring as Sequence

Sources

• 2000: Pierre A. Grillet: Abstract Algebra: $\S \text{III}.6$