Question

determine whether it is a polynomial and if it is state how many terms and variables, then state the degree
2x^-4y^2

Answer 1

A polynomial is made up of terms. A term is a single number or a number multiplied by one or more variables. Here are examples of terms:
2
-5
4x
5x^3
8xy^3z

Answer 2

A polynomial is one single term or more than one term added together.
Variables cannot be in the denominator of a polynomial.
2x^-4y^2 is not a polynomial becasue the exponent -4 on the x means x^4 in the denominator.