# Math Help - polynomial functions.

1. ## polynomial functions.

I do not understand how to do these type of questions and there are no examples in the book so I came here.

Directions: Determine if each expression is a polynomial in one variable. If the expression is a polynomial in one variable, state the degree.

Problems:
a^3+ 2a + square root of 3
1/x = 1/2x
2m^3 + 5m^7 + 9

2. ## Re: polynomial functions.

Originally Posted by needprecalchelp
I do not understand how to do these type of questions and there are no examples in the book so I came here.

Directions: Determine if each expression is a polynomial in one variable. If the expression is a polynomial in one variable, state the degree.

Problems:
a^3+ 2a + square root of 3
1/x = 1/2x
2m^3 + 5m^7 + 9
A polynomial can be written as \displaystyle \begin{align*} c_0 + c_1x + c_2x^2 + c_3x^3 + \dots \end{align*}

Do any of these fit that format?

3. ## Re: polynomial functions.

i guess all of them do. I'm not sure about the second one though.

4. ## Re: polynomial functions.

Originally Posted by needprecalchelp
i guess all of them do. I'm not sure about the second one though.
Is the second one \displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{1}{x} = \frac{1}{2}x \end{align*} or \displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{1}{x} = \frac{1}{2x} \end{align*}?

5. ## Re: polynomial functions.

\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{1}{x} = \frac{1}{2x} \end{align*} this one

6. ## Re: polynomial functions.

Originally Posted by needprecalchelp
\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{1}{x} = \frac{1}{2x} \end{align*} this one
It's definitely not a polynomial, in fact, there's no value of x that can satisfy that equation, since when you multiply both sides by x, you get 1 = 1/2.

7. ## Re: polynomial functions.

well if that's all i needed to do for these problems then thanks

8. ## Re: polynomial functions.

Originally Posted by needprecalchelp
well if that's all i needed to do for these problems then thanks
review the definition of a polynomial ...

Polynomial Function Definition | Zona Land Education