How do you write a polynomial in standard form, then classify it by degree and number of terms #5-4x^2+6-11x^2#?

1 Answer
Aug 9, 2016

#-15x^2+11#

Explanation:

This polynomial can be simplified by collecting ' like terms'

#color(blue)(5)-color(red)(4x^2)+color(blue)(6)-color(red)(11x^2)=-15x^2+11#

This polynomial has 2 terms, #-15x^2" and" +11#

To express a polynomial in 'standard form' , we start with the highest power of the variable followed by terms with
decreasing powers until the last term, usually a constant.

The polynomial in standard form is #-15x^2+11#

The #color(blue)"degree of a polynomial"# is the value of the highest power of the variable within the polynomial. In this case #x^2# has a power value of 2.

#rArr" this polynomial is of " color(blue)"degree 2"#

In conclusion:

#5-4x^2+6-11x^2" can be simplified to " -15x^2+11#

Which is in standard form, having 2 terms and of degree 2.