Question

Marcus states that the polynomial expression 3x3 – 4x2y + y2 + 2 is in standard form. Ariel states that it should be y2 – 4x2y + 3x3 +2. Explain which student is correct and why.

Answer 1

So in standard form, variables with a higher power should appear first, then continue to the right in descending order. Any constants, without variables, would appear to the very right.
Which expression follows this rule?

Answer 2

i have no clue i suck at math

Answer 3

Ok, a simple way to figure it out is to just look at the exponents. You'll notice that 3x^3 has an exponent of 3. This means that this part of the expression has a 'degree' equal to 3, which is higher than any of the others.
4x2y actually has two variables, x and y. In this case, you would find the sum of the exponents. The x and the y both have an exponent of 1 (it's implied, since they have no other exponent written), so added together, this part of the expression of 2.
You ought to be able to order each part from highest degree to lowest degree like this, and then order them from left to right, from highest to lowest.