Question

Which polynomial is a monomial?
A. 2p^2-p
B. 6-2x^3-4x^2+x^5
C. 5r^2s^3t^4
D. 1-2x+5x^4

Answer 1

Please look up if necessary: "polynomial" and "monomial." Once you have these definitions in mind, choosing the correct answer should be easy.

Answer 2

@mathmale so I looked up the definition for polynomial (consisting of several terms) and monomial (consisting of one term) and I see that B and C can be eliminated. How do I chose between A and D?

Answer 3

What is it about C that leads you to believe that it can be eliminated? Same question about B.

Answer 4

keep in mind that monomial = an entire expression made of 1 term only
binomial = made of 2 terms
polynomial = 3 terms and above

Answer 5

A term is a number multiplied by no variable, or one or more variables.
Terms are added together.
A monomial consists of one term.
A polynomial is a sum of terms.

Answer 6

wow at the same exact time!

Answer 7

Wait would it be C because there is only one of each variable? Its the only answer that doesn't have a repeating variable (p^2-p, x^3-x^2, etc) but then the exponents are confusing me.

Answer 8

@mathmale @Will.H @mathstudent55
I know this should be a simple answer but I am so confused

Answer 9

heres examples would help

monomial: 2x^4y^2 (see that there are no negative or positive signs thus there is one term only)

binomial : 2x^6 + 4x^2 )there is a positive sign seperates 2 terms thus this is binomial because it contains 2 terms)

polynomial: 3x^4 + 2x^3 + x^2 (this is polynomial because there are 3 terms in here)

so why do you think it is C?

Answer 10

Oh its C. So, like the example, it isn't being added or subtracted by anything else. Terms are sets. I thought they had something to do with the exponents. Ok thank you that really clears it up

Answer 11

yes indeed C.
and the exponents are ordered by the highest degree (highest exponents to the lowest) they shouldn't matter.

good work