Algebra 1 : Polynomials

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra 1

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Example Questions

Example Question #30 : How To Find The Degree Of A Polynomial

Find the degree of the polynomial:

\(\displaystyle \frac{x^8+10x^2+8x^3+27}{x^2}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3\)

\(\displaystyle 8\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 6\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 6\)

Explanation:

Finding the degree of a polynomial is simple - we merely need to see what the largest exponent in the expression is. This will determine the degree of the polynomial. We must keep in mind, however, that coefficients do not matter because they do not influence degree. 

In this problem, the expression is \(\displaystyle \frac{x^8+10x^2+8x^3+27}{x^2}\).

In order to see the leading exponent, we must first simplify the expression. Dividing by \(\displaystyle x^2\) leaves us with \(\displaystyle x^6+10+8x+27x^{-2}\)

Rearranging the expression so it is written in descending order for the degree of x:

\(\displaystyle x^6+8x+{27}{x^{-2}}+10\)

Now we can quickly see that the largest exponent is 6. Therefore, the degree of this polynomial is 6.

 

Example Question #31 : How To Find The Degree Of A Polynomial

Find the degree of the polynomial:

\(\displaystyle 10x^2+2x^5+7x+x^7+5^{14}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 7\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 7\)

Explanation:

Finding the degree of a polynomial is simple - we merely need to see what the largest exponent in the expression is. This will determine the degree of the polynomial. We must keep in mind, however, that coefficients do not matter because they do not influence degree. 

In this problem, the expression is \(\displaystyle 10x^2+2x^5+7x+x^7+5^{14}\).

Rearranging the expression so it is written in descending order for the degree of x:

\(\displaystyle x^7+2x^5+10x^2+7x+5^{14}\)

Now we can easily see that the largest exponent is 7. Therefore, the degree of this polynomial is 7.

Example Question #221 : Variables

Find the degree of the polynomial.

\(\displaystyle 2x^2+7x+x^4+2\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1\)

\(\displaystyle 3\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 7\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 4\)

Explanation:

Finding the degree of a polynomial is simple - we merely need to see what the largest exponent in the expression is. This will determine the degree of the polynomial. We must keep in mind, however, that coefficients do not matter because they do not influence degree. 

In this problem, the expression is \(\displaystyle 2x^2+7x+x^4+2\).

Rearranging the expression so it is written in descending order for the degree of x:

\(\displaystyle x^4+2x^2+7x+2\)

Now we can easily see that the largest exponent is 4. Therefore, the degree of this polynomial is 4.

Example Question #31 : How To Find The Degree Of A Polynomial

What is the degree of the following polynomial?  

\(\displaystyle 3z^7 + 28y + 14x + 12 + 3z\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 7\)

\(\displaystyle 3\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle 28\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 7\)

Explanation:

To find the degree of a polynomial, simply find the highest exponent in the expression.  As seven is the highest exponent above, it is also the degree of the polynomial.

Example Question #32 : How To Find The Degree Of A Polynomial

What is the degree of the following polynomial?  

\(\displaystyle 2x^3 + 2y + 2 + 2z^3 + 8xy +16xyz\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1\)

\(\displaystyle 8\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 16\)

\(\displaystyle 3\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3\)

Explanation:

To find the degree of a polynomial, simply find the highest exponent in the expression.  As three is the highest exponent above, it is also the degree of the polynomial.

Example Question #33 : How To Find The Degree Of A Polynomial

What is the degree of the following polynomial?  

\(\displaystyle 2x + 4x +6x +8x + y\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 8\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 6\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1\)

Explanation:

To find the degree of a polynomial, simply find the highest exponent in the expression.  As one is the highest exponent above (remember any variable with no visible exponent is being raised to the first power), it is also the degree of the polynomial.

Example Question #34 : How To Find The Degree Of A Polynomial

What is the degree of the following polynomial?  

\(\displaystyle (2x(x + 5))^2\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 3\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 4\)

Explanation:

To find the degree of a polynomial, simply find the highest exponent in the expression.  As four is the highest exponent above (after you simplify--distribution inside the parentheses will cause the highest power to be two, then the whole thing is squared, giving you four), it is also the degree of the polynomial.

Example Question #35 : How To Find The Degree Of A Polynomial

What is the degree of the following polynomial?  

\(\displaystyle 10x^5 - 2x^4 + 3z + y^8\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 8\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 8\)

Explanation:

To find the degree of a polynomial, simply find the highest exponent in the expression.  As eight is the highest exponent above, it is also the degree of the polynomial.

Example Question #36 : How To Find The Degree Of A Polynomial

What is the degree of the following polynomial?  

\(\displaystyle 2z^7 + 18x^6 + 19zy^4\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 18\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle 19\)

\(\displaystyle 7\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 7\)

Explanation:

To find the degree of a polynomial, simply find the highest exponent in the expression.  As seven is the highest exponent above, it is also the degree of the polynomial.

Example Question #37 : How To Find The Degree Of A Polynomial

What is the degree of the following polynomial?  

\(\displaystyle a^2 + 2ab + b^3\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3\)

\(\displaystyle 0\)

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3\)

Explanation:

To find the degree of a polynomial, simply find the highest exponent in the expression.  As three is the highest exponent above, it is also the degree of the polynomial.

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