Final answer:
A polynomial function is a function that can be expressed as a sum of power functions in the form f(x) = anxn + an-1xn-1 + ... + a1x + a0, where n is a non-negative integer and an, an-1, ..., a1, a0 are constants (coefficients).
Step-by-step explanation:
A polynomial function is a function that can be expressed as a sum of power functions in the form f(x) = anxn + an-1xn-1 + ... + a1x + a0, where n is a non-negative integer and an, an-1, ..., a1, a0 are constants (coefficients).
For example, f(x) = 3x2 - 5x + 2 is a polynomial function because it is the sum of the power functions 3x2, -5x, and 2.
One way to determine if something is a polynomial function is by looking at its degree, which is the highest exponent of x. If the degree is a non-negative integer, then it is a polynomial function.