How to classify expression?

Question

sammixboo · Answer

Expressions don't have an equal signs, while equations do.

tw101 · Answer

this is my question

sammixboo · Answer

UNless if you are talking about human expression, lol

tw101 · Answer

haha nope! although if math was a human i'd definitely not be able to read their expression. lol

sammixboo · Answer

A monomial has one term, binomial has 2, and a trinomial has 3 terms, just so I can get that point across. What do you think the answer(s) could be?

tw101 · Answer

would it just be a monomial?

tw101 · Answer

i mean i know it is one of the other ones too, but im not sure which

sammixboo · Answer

Not a monomial, there is two terms in this expression :) So it is a binomial, which isn't in your choices. 

Do you know the difference between 'Difference of two squares' and 'Sum of two squares'?

tw101 · Answer

Oh okay. oh great haha not an option sheesh. Well difference means divide and sums means add

sammixboo · Answer

The difference of squares is when you subtract two squares, and the sum is to add

tw101 · Answer

Oh gotcha

sammixboo · Answer

SO, would this expression be a difference or sum of two squares?

tw101 · Answer

so wouldnt it be the sum? sorry, this is new to me haha

sammixboo · Answer

It's OK, and yes. It would be the sum of two squares

tw101 · Answer

Okay haha that makes sense. Is that the only option?

sammixboo · Answer

Well, do you know what a complex conjugate and a radical expression is?

tw101 · Answer

ummm is it like when there's two equations and their each others opposites? like a+bi and a-bi? and then a radical has to do with the square root symbol right?

agent0smith · Answer

"difference means divide" - make sure you KNOW that difference means subtraction. Quotient means division. Do not get these confused.

And yes, you're right about conjugates and radicals.

tw101 · Answer

Okay thank you. And my question is not either one, right?

agent0smith · Answer

It's a sum of two squares because: $$\large x^4 + 400$$ can be written as $$\Large (x^2)^2 + 20^2$$

agent0smith · Answer

But there is one other correct option...

tw101 · Answer

Complex conjugate?

tw101 · Answer

Since there isn't a square root sign.

agent0smith · Answer

You already described conjugates above...

tw101 · Answer

Polynomial?

agent0smith · Answer

Well do you know what a polynomial is?

tw101 · Answer

it has variables and coefficients and cannot have negative exponents

agent0smith · Answer

So is x^4 + 400 a polynomial?

tw101 · Answer

Yes.