Question

For an expression to be a polynomial what must be true about the exponents of the variables?

Answer 1

The exponents must be non-negative integers.

Examples:


`x` is a polynomial (degree 1)


`x^2-1` is a polynomial (degree 2)


`x^3-\frac1{x^3}=x^3-x^(-3)` is NOT a polynomial, but a rational expression


`\sqrt x=x^(1/2)` is NOT a polynomial, but an algebraic expression.