Hello, I'm hoping someone can explain this to me:

I'm ID-ing polynomials;

-x^7-5x^4+(3/x)= not a polynomial

.25x^3+3.9x^2-(x/3)= polynomial

Why is 3/x not but x/3 is?

Thanks a bunch! :)

3 answers

in polynomials, all the exponents for the variable are positive

x / 3 = 1/3 x^1

3 / x = 3 x^-1
OK, so then any unknown variable is negative, correct?

Thanks a bunch again :) I appreciate your help
Sorry, I meant to say any unknown variable in the denominator :o