Two Martians, Splott and Fizzle, invite you to pilot their giant robot. The heat generated by one leg mechanism is represented by the function f(x) = 3x2 + 20. The heat generated by one arm mechanism is represented by g(x) = 3x2 + 4x - 5. Describe to Splott and Fizzle, using complete sentences, which of the operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, will result in the largest degree function, and which operation will result in the smallest degree function.

Question

anonymous · Answer

they really struggle to come up with these "word problems" don't they?

anonymous · Answer

@wolfe8  one more please? (:

anonymous · Answer

largest degree will be if you multiply
you will get a polynomial of degree 4

anonymous · Answer

smallest degree will be if you subtract, because the $x^2$ terms will add up to zero, leaving a polynomial of degree 1

anonymous · Answer

so basically that's the answer? @satellite73

anonymous · Answer

@satellite73