To classify the terms 2x4, x3, 8x2, and 12 by degree, we first need to understand what ‘degree’ means in the context of polynomials. The degree of a term is determined by the highest exponent of the variable within that term.
Now let’s break down each term:
- 2x4: This term has an exponent of 4. Therefore, its degree is 4.
- x3: This term has an exponent of 3. Thus, its degree is 3.
- 8x2: Here, the exponent is 2, so the degree is 2.
- 12: Since this term is a constant (it can be thought of as 12x0), the degree is 0.
In summary, the degrees of the terms are as follows:
- 2x4 – Degree 4
- x3 – Degree 3
- 8x2 – Degree 2
- 12 – Degree 0
This classification helps in understanding the polynomial better, particularly when it comes to operations like addition, subtraction, or finding the highest degree for determining the overall degree of the polynomial.