Chapter 2 · Question 1

Define the degree of a polynomial. Distinguish between linear, quadratic, and cubic polynomials.

Answer

The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable with a non-zero coefficient. Degree

1

is linear, degree

2

is quadratic, and degree

3

is cubic.

Look at the highest power of the variable. That number is the degree.

For a polynomial

p(x)

, the highest exponent of

x

occurring with a non-zero coefficient is its degree. Examples:

2x-3

has degree

1

and is linear;

x^2-5x+6

has degree

2

and is quadratic;

x^3+2x^2-x+1

has degree

3

and is cubic.

The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable with a non-zero coefficient.