SOLUTION: I am having a really hard time understanding polynomials. I just don't get what it means by "finite sum of terms where the exponents on the variables are non-negative integers." Ca

Question 316563: I am having a really hard time understanding polynomials. I just don't get what it means by "finite sum of terms where the exponents on the variables are non-negative integers." Can you explain this in english please. :)
If I am understanding it right I would say that a polynomial is any number which has an exponent that is not negetive.
Is this correct?
I am trying to explain rational expressions. The numerator and denominator have to be polynomials. Is this correct?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Yes, it's fancy but it does have to be defined somehow.
is a polynomial. All of the exponents of the variable terms are non-negative integers (3,1,0).
is not a polynomial. The exponents are 1.5 and -1 which violates the definition.
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.
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Yes, a rational function is basically the division of two polynomials.

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