alleryStart learning →Which condition must every exponent in a polynomial satisfy?
AIt must be a negative number
BIt must be a fraction below one
CIt must be an irrational number
DIt must be a natural number
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. It must be a natural number
1. A polynomial is built from variables raised to powers, with coefficients in front of them.
2. The definition allows only exponents drawn from the natural numbers.
3. An expression with a square root or a negative exponent is therefore not a polynomial.
4. Checking the exponents is the quickest way to test any expression.
_Source: Siyavula Mathematics Grade 12 (Everything Maths, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 5: Polynomials_
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