Understanding Polynomial Descriptions

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 140 views

**Which Description is Correct for the Polynomial $3x^3 + 4x^2 - 7$?**

Understanding Polynomial Descriptions

Polynomials are algebraic expressions consisting of variables and coefficients. They can be classified based on their degree and the number of terms. In this article, we will explore the different descriptions of polynomials and determine which one is correct for the given polynomial $3x^3 + 4x^2 - 7$ .

What is a Polynomial?

A polynomial is an expression consisting of variables and coefficients combined using only addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The variables in a polynomial are often represented by letters such as $x$ , $y$ , or $z$ . The coefficients are the numerical values associated with each term.

Types of Polynomials

Polynomials can be classified based on their degree, which is the highest power of the variable in the polynomial. The degree of a polynomial can be:

Linear: A polynomial of degree 1, which has the form $ax + b$ .
Quadratic: A polynomial of degree 2, which has the form $ax^2 + bx + c$ .
Cubic: A polynomial of degree 3, which has the form $ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d$ .
Quartic: A polynomial of degree 4, which has the form $ax^4 + bx^3 + cx^2 + dx + e$ .

Binomial and Trinomial

Polynomials can also be classified based on the number of terms. A binomial is a polynomial with two terms, while a trinomial is a polynomial with three terms.

Description Options

Now that we have a basic understanding of polynomials, let's examine the description options for the given polynomial $3x^3 + 4x^2 - 7$ .

A. Cubic Binomial: A cubic binomial would have two terms, but the given polynomial has three terms.
B. Quartic Trinomial: A quartic trinomial would have four terms, but the given polynomial has only three terms.
C. Cubic Trinomial: A cubic trinomial would have three terms, and the given polynomial has three terms.
D. Quadratic Trinomial: A quadratic trinomial would have three terms, but the given polynomial has a degree of 3, not 2.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis, the correct description for the polynomial $3x^3 + 4x^2 - 7$ is C. Cubic Trinomial. This is because the polynomial has three terms and a degree of 3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between a binomial and a trinomial?

A: A binomial is a polynomial with two terms, while a trinomial is a polynomial with three terms.

Q: What is the degree of the polynomial $3x^3 + 4x^2 - 7$ ?

A: The degree of the polynomial $3x^3 + 4x^2 - 7$ is 3.

Q: What is the correct description for the polynomial $x^2 + 2x + 1$ ?

A: The correct description for the polynomial $x^2 + 2x + 1$ is a quadratic trinomial.

Q: What is the difference between a linear and a quadratic polynomial?

A: A linear polynomial has a degree of 1, while a quadratic polynomial has a degree of 2.

Q: What is the correct description for the polynomial $x^3 + 2x^2 - 3$ ?

A: The correct description for the polynomial $x^3 + 2x^2 - 3$ is a cubic trinomial.

Q: What is the difference between a cubic and a quartic polynomial?

A: A cubic polynomial has a degree of 3, while a quartic polynomial has a degree of 4.