Check my answer? Is this a polynomial? Trick question?

Question

Check my answer?  Is this a polynomial?  Trick question?

anonymous · Answer

I'm pretty sure this is D but it feels like it' s trying to trick me

amistre64 · Answer

how do we define a poly?

anonymous · Answer

a combining form with the meanings “much, many” and, in chemistry, “polymeric,” used in the formation of compound words: 
"polyandrous; polyculture; polyethylene."

amistre64 · Answer

a polynomial has a specific meaning in math.  it is closely related to the definition for poly- but that can be misleading.

amistre64 · Answer

usually by some special definition (since 0^0 is undefined) we say that a constant is a polynomial of degree 0

anonymous · Answer

Okay @JoeJoldin we also just cant give you everything at least try okay :)

amistre64 · Answer

technically, they tried for D :)  but i disagree with their assessment is all

anonymous · Answer

That Is true

amistre64 · Answer

if we were to define this line as:

y = b x^0  then we would see it as a degree zero polynomial, but we get into trouble by this representation only because at x=0 the function is undefined

amistre64 · Answer

so, by special decree, they avoid the embarassment by saying, a constant is a polynomial of degree 0.

anonymous · Answer

@amistre64 I still don't understand if this is a polynomial or not

kainui · Answer

Yeah I agree with you @JoeJoldin this is a poorly worded question. However I think the answer is the first one since $$\Large x^0=1$$ So in a way it can be a polynomial of degree 0. I'd try to talk to your teacher about it since you obviously know what's going on and the problem is with language not the problem itself.

geerky42 · Answer

Well, isn't polynomial of degree 0 just a constant function $y = b$?

It is not necessary for form of polynomial of degree 0 to be $bx^0$, where it is undefined at $x=0$.