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Identify the constant term in the following polynomial
8x + 2x^3 - 5x^4 - 9

1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

-9

Explanation:

Constants are terms that are only numbers, without any variables.

Terms

First, let's define what a term is. Within a polynomial, a term is an expression that is added to other terms to create a polynomial. It is important to note that terms are always added. So, if there is subtraction, that means one of the terms is negative.

Constants

The easiest way to identify constants is to look for terms without variables. In the polynomial above, the only constant is -9. All of the other terms have x to some power as a factor. Since they have variables, they cannot be a constant.

Numbers cannot be changed; this is why there are called constants. No matter the x-value, -9 will not change.

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