Which of the following properly describes the relationship between the degree of a polynomial and the number of relative extrema it has?(1 point) Responses The number of relative extrema of a polynomial is equal to the degree. The number of relative extrema of a polynomial is equal to the degree. The number of relative extrema of a polynomial is always one less than the degree. The number of relative extrema of a polynomial is always one less than the degree. The number of relative extrema of a polynomial is, at most, one less than the degree. The number of relative extrema of a polynomial is, at most, one less than the degree. The number of relative extrema of a polynomial is, at least, one less than the degree.

1 answer

The correct statement is: The number of relative extrema of a polynomial is, at most, one less than the degree.

This means that a polynomial of degree \( n \) can have up to \( n - 1 \) relative extrema. While it is possible for the polynomial to have fewer than \( n - 1 \) relative extrema (or even none), it cannot exceed \( n - 1 \).