To show that polynomials form a closed system under multiplication, we need to demonstrate that when you multiply two polynomials together, the result is also a polynomial.
Looking at the provided options:
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\( 5x^{-1} \cdot 2 \): This expression involves \( x^{-1} \), which is not a polynomial (as polynomials only include non-negative integer powers of \( x \)). This result is not a polynomial.
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\( 2x^3 + x^2 \): This is a polynomial already, but it does not demonstrate a multiplication operation showing closure.
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\( 5 \cdot 3x \): This expression simplifies to \( 15x \), which is a polynomial.
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\( (13)(x^4 - 2) \): This involves multiplying a constant by a polynomial, which results in another polynomial \((13x^4 - 26)\).
Among the options listed, the second and fourth responses show polynomials. However, to demonstrate closure, the first response fails because it contains \( x^{-1} \).
The best option that illustrates closure under multiplication is \( (13)(x^4 - 2) \), as it shows that multiplying a polynomial by a constant still yields a polynomial.
To summarize, polynomials are closed under multiplication because the product of any two polynomials results in another polynomial, and option 4 demonstrates this well.