1、Determine which functions are polynomial functions. For those that are, state the degree. For those that are not, tell why not.h(X)= √x (√x –1)

Answer 1

A function that contains a radical is NOT a polynomial function.

One of the rules for a function to be considered as a polynomial is that it MUST have a variable raised to an exponent that is an INTEGER. A radical can be considered as a fractional exponent:

So, this function h(x) = √x/(√x - 1) can also be written as h(x) = x^1/2/(x^1/2 - 1) and it does NOT have integers for exponents therefore it is NOT a polynomial.