Question

Classify each polynomial by its degree and by its number of terms (i.e. cubic or degree=3; trinomial. (a) 5x^4-8 (b) 4a^2-2a-16 (c) 9m^3

Answer 1

a. 4th degree binomial

b. 2nd degree trinomial

c. 3rd degree monomial.

Explanation:

In order to find each of these, start by writing the degree based on the highest exponent. The work for a is done for you below.

5x^4 - 8

This means it is a 4th degree.

Now we can decide what the final word is based on how many terms there are. In this one there is 2, so we call it a binomial.

4th degree binomial.