47x^5 − 17x^2y^3 + y^2 is a trinomial but how do I get 5 from this problem?

Question

is it bcuz of the 47 and -17

Answer 1

5 is the degree -- the highest sum of powers
x^5: 5
x^2y^3: 2+3=5

time to review degree of polynomials ...

Answer 2

thats what I thought it was. So the second y-squared isnt involved because of the sign correct.

Answer 3

so for this equation 5c^3+11c^2-c-8
would be 3?

Answer 4

I have no idea what you are even asking.
Was the 5 obtained by subbing in certain values of x and y ??

Answer 5

its okay Reiny. Oobleck clarified it for me. I was on the right track. Just a lil confused as to where 5 came from.

Answer 6

One more question. If I see a variable without a raised power does that become the highest degree? Like 2x+3

Answer 7

2x is the same as 2x^1
So the implied power is 1. It's just usually not written out.
2x+3 therefore is of degree 1.

it is the degree only if here are no other higher powers in the expression.

Answer 8

okay. So now it's asking to determine the nomials(Determine the Degree of Polynomials) but the answers are given as
5a^2+12ab-7b^2=2^0.
Is that just another way of writing it?

Answer 9

That's just rubbish, if all you want is the degree. It is just an integer.

If all you are doing is finding a polynomial, you don't need an equation. I have no idea what that 2^0 is supposed to do.

The degree of 5a^2+12ab-7b^2 is 2. Just 2.
2^0 = 1

Answer 10

my teacher/instructor even said they messed up. its supppose to say trinomial,2 but he only wants the descriptive title. thxs btw