The expression "3x^2 + 2" is a polynomial, specifically a quadratic function. In this expression, "3" is the coefficient of the term "x^2," indicating that the variable "x" is squared and multiplied by 3. The "+ 2" represents a constant term, which means that no matter the value of "x," the expression will always add 2 to the result of "3x^2." Quadratic functions like "3x^2 + 2" can be graphed as parabolas. The shape of the graph opens upwards because the coefficient of "x^2" is positive. The vertex of this parabola is the lowest point, and the graph will intersect the y-axis at the point (0, 2), where the value of "x" is zero.