SOLUTION: determine if the expression 4m^5 - 6m^8 + m + 3 is a polynomial in one variable. if so,state the degree.

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Question 210140: determine if the expression 4m^5 - 6m^8 + m + 3 is a polynomial in one variable. if so,state the degree.
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A variable is simply a number that is unknown. They are denoted with letters instead of actual numbers. Looking at 4m%5E5+-+6m%5E8+%2B+m+%2B+3, we see that there's only one letter being shown, and that's 'm'. So 4m%5E5+-+6m%5E8+%2B+m+%2B+3 is a polynomial in one variable.


Now sort the terms in descending exponential order. In other words, take the term with the highest exponent and place it first. Then take the term with the second highest exponent and write it next, etc...


So after sorting, we should have: -+6m%5E8%2B4m%5E5%2B+m+%2B+3

The degree is simply the largest exponent. Since the largest exponent is 8, the degree of -+6m%5E8%2B4m%5E5%2B+m+%2B+3 (and 4m%5E5+-+6m%5E8+%2B+m+%2B+3) is 8.