Question

What is the degree of the polynomial f(x) defined below?

f(x) = 5x - 2x^2 + 9x^3 + 10x^4 - 2

Options:
1. Degree 1
2. Degree 2
3. Degree 3
4. Degree 4

Answer 1

The degree of the polynomial f(x) = 5x - 2x^2 + 9x^3 + 10x^4 - 2 is 4, as this is the highest exponent of the variable in the polynomial.

Step-by-step explanation:

The degree of a polynomial is the highest exponent of the variable that appears in the polynomial when it is written in its standard form. In the polynomial f(x) = 5x - 2x^2 + 9x^3 + 10x^4 - 2, the highest exponent on the variable x is 4, which appears in the term 10x^4. Therefore, the degree of the polynomial is 4.