Question

Write the polynomial in standard form. Then name the polynomial based on its degree and number of terms.

2-5x^3+6x
A) 2-5x^3+6x; not a polynomial
B) -5x^3+6x+2; cubic trinomial
C) -5x^3+6x+2; quadratic trinomial
D) 6x-5x^3+2; fourth-degree trinomial

Answer 1

You need to label the polynomial as follows: f(x) = 2-5x^3+6x.

Next, rearrange the terms in descending powers of x:

f(x) = -5x^3 + 6x + 2. The coefficient of the x^2 term is zero (0).

This definitely is a polynomial, but not a fourth degree one.

Because the highest power of x is 3 (as in x^3), this is a polynomial, a cubic trinomial (it has 3 terms).