Write the polynomial in standard form. Then name the polynomial based on its degree and number of terms. 2 - 11x^2 - 8x + 6x ^2

Answer 1

Each of the elements of the polynomial separated by an addition or subtraction is called a term. So the terms are:

2

-11x²

-8x

6x²

Notice that you keep subtraction signs as negative numbers.

There are two of these that are "like terms" and so they can be combined. -11x² is a like term to 6x². If you combine them you get -5x².

Now, re-order the polynomial so that the term with the largest exponent (degree) is first and then you go in order from largest degree to smallest:

-5x² - 8x + 2

This is "standard form"

This is called a trinomial because it has 3 terms.