Select the choice below that represents the following polynomial in descending order: 8 − 2x8 − x9 − 5x4
Answer

8 − x9 − 2x8 − 5x4

8 − 5x4 − 2x8 − x9

-2x8 − 5x4 − x9 + 8

-x9 − 2x8 − 5x4 + 8

Question

Select the choice below that represents the following polynomial in descending order: 8 − 2x8 − x9 − 5x4
Answer
		
8 − x9 − 2x8 − 5x4 
		
8 − 5x4 − 2x8 − x9
		
-2x8 − 5x4 − x9 + 8
		
-x9 − 2x8 − 5x4 + 8

anonymous · Answer

I believe you order the terms from the largest exponent to the smallest, so the x9 term goes first, x8 second, and so on.  Looks like it should be the last one, since it is in descending order from highest (x9) to lowest (exponent of "zero" for the term "8", since x0 = 1, so 8x0 = 8)

anonymous · Answer

@JakeV8 Which choice do you think it is?

anonymous · Answer

I think it's the 4th choice you listed.  Do you agree?

anonymous · Answer

The bottom one -9 - 28 -5x4 + 8 ? I agree.

anonymous · Answer

it's partly asking if you understand "descending" order, meaning highest to lowest.  The 2nd choice is the opposite, or ascending order, but typically you write polynomials in descending order like in the 4th choice.  (they're all equivalent, so it's just a style or tradition to do it that way)

anonymous · Answer

So the 4th option is the correct answer yes?

anonymous · Answer

@JakeV8

anonymous · Answer

sorry, yes, 4th is correct... just explaining why the question is even asking you to arrange them like that.