Answer | Step-by-step explanation:
If the degree of the polynomial axⁿ + bxⁿ⁻¹ + cxⁿ⁻² + ... + k is ⁿ⁻², then the correct option is 3) c is not equal to zero.
To determine the degree of a polynomial, we look at the highest power of the variable. In this case, the highest power is ⁿ. Therefore, the degree of the polynomial is ⁿ.
Since we are given that the degree of the polynomial is ⁿ⁻², it means that ⁿ⁻² is the highest power of the variable. In other words, the term with the highest power of the variable has an exponent of ⁿ⁻².
Looking at the options provided, option 3) c is not equal to zero aligns with this condition. If c is equal to zero, then the term cxⁿ⁻² would vanish, and the highest power of the variable would be less than ⁿ⁻², which contradicts the given condition.
Therefore, the correct option is 3) c is not equal to zero.