SOLUTION: Hi, Can you help me with this math problem? State the degree of the polynomial equation. 4(x + 8)^2(x - 8)^3 = 0

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Hi, Can you help me with this math problem? State the degree of the polynomial equation. 4(x + 8)^2(x - 8)^3 = 0      Log On


   



Question 134846: Hi,
Can you help me with this math problem?
State the degree of the polynomial equation.
4(x + 8)^2(x - 8)^3 = 0

Answer by vleith(2983) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Given: 4%28x+%2B+8%29%5E2%28x+-+8%29%5E3+=+0
Since this is an equation in only one variable, the degree is the terms with the highest order exponent in it.
You could expand the equation (multiply it out). But you can also 'just look' and figure it out without doing all the multiplication.
Look at the term
4%28x+%2B+8%29%5E2
When you expand that, what will be the highest exponent of x? Right, it will be x^2
Now look at the last term
%28x+-+8%29%5E3+
When you expand that, what will be the highest exponent of x? Right again, x^3
Since the terms are multplied together, you have an x^2 term times a x^3 term.
So what is the exponent that is the result of that? Right yet again, x^5
So the degree will be 5