Question

Order the polynomial -x^4y^2 + 7x^3y^3 - 3xy^5 + 2x^2y^4 in descending powers of x.

Answer 1

Powers of x are the exponents of x.

Answer 2

oh so the closer x is to the front would be first or last?

Answer 3

Start with the term with the highest exponent of x and then write each term with the next lower exponent of x, and keep going until you have all terms.

Answer 4

The higher the exponent of x is the earlier the term is written.

Answer 5

so the 7x one first right?

Answer 6

Look below. The exponents of x are in red. Notice that for the term \(-3xy^5\), there is an exponent of 1 on the x. That is because x is the same as \(x^1\)

\(\Large -x^\color{red}{4}y^2 + 7x^\color{red}{3}y^3 - 3x^\color{red}{1}y^5 + 2x^\color{red}{2}y^4\)

Now you pout the terms in order starting with the term with exponent 5.
Also, keep in mind that a negative sign to the left of a term belongs to that term.

Answer 7

okay

Answer 8

7 is a coefficient. A number that is a factor of the term. It is not an exponent.

Answer 9

oh

Answer 10

thanks for the help

Answer 11

yw