Final answer:
The term for a number by itself at the end of a polynomial is the constant term. It stays the same regardless of the variable's value and is a key component of polynomial expressions, equations, and scientific notation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for a number by itself at the end of a polynomial is known as the constant term. This is because it's value does not change with the variable in the polynomial; it remains constant regardless of the input. Polynomials are algebraic expressions that consist of variables and coefficients, structured in terms of powers of variables.
The complexity of dealing with powers extends beyond integers, as in the case with an exponent like 1.7, and requires a deeper understanding of exponents to deal with non-integer powers. A polynomial may contain various terms with different powers, and as we simplify expressions or solve equations, we often encounter various powers including perfect squares and scientific notation.
Understanding the components of polynomials, like the constant term, is critical for manipulating and graphing these expressions successfully. Equations and scientific notation involve powers of 10, indicated by an exponent, and a coefficient, which can greatly simplify the representation of large or small numbers.