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

8

2x2

-4x4

7x3

Question

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

hero · Answer

If we arrange the terms of the given polynomial in descending order, we have

$-4x^4 + 7x^3 + 2x^2 + 8$

hero · Answer

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

anonymous · Answer

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

hero · Answer

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