Question

Give the degree and classify the polynomial by the number of terms.

-x² + 3x - 4
A. degree: 2; trinomial
B. degree: 3; binomial
C. degree: 3; trinomial
D. degree: 2; binomial​

Answer 1

A. degree: 2; trinomial

Explanation:

The degree of a polynomial is the highest degree of a single term. In this example, the highest degree is 2 (-x^2) so the degree of the polynomial is 2. If a term has more than one variable, add all the degrees in the term (e.g. a polynomial with x^2y^3 has a degree of 5).

The classification of a polynomial depends on how many terms there are.

• Monomial: 1 term
• Binomial: 2 terms
• Trinomial: 3 terms