Question

What is the 4th term when 8 + 2x2 - 4x4 + 7x3 is arranged in descending order?

8

2x2

-4x4

7x3

Answer 1

If we arrange the terms of the given polynomial in descending order, we have

\(-4x^4 + 7x^3 + 2x^2 + 8\)

Answer 2

So based on this, @brianakf , what would the 4th term be?

Answer 3

8
I assumed that the answer would be \[2x^2\] but apparently that's wrong.

Answer 4

Yes 8 is correct. When arranging terms in descending order, the order is based on the value of the exponent. \(-4x^4\) goes first because it is the term with the highest exponent. Then \(7x^3\) then \(2x^2\) then \(8x^0\) or \(8\) since it has the lowest exponent value