00:01
This is the general formula for a polynomial, and looking at this formula will help us navigate a polynomial and be familiar with the way a polynomial's terms look.
00:14
So the question asks us what happens if we move terms around in a polynomial, and before we get into that, we should ask why would we move terms around in a polynomial at all? so this is y.
00:30
Let's suppose we have a polynomial 3x plus x squared plus 3.
00:39
So this is a polynomial, and this kind of polynomial we would rearrange the terms.
00:47
Why? because if you take a look at the general formula for a polynomial, please note that the leading terms, their powers are generalized like this.
00:59
So if this is n, then this is one less than that.
01:03
So if the leading term, so if the first term is 4, then the term over here would be 3.
01:13
So let's take a look at this polynomial.
01:16
What is the exponent here? the exponent here is 1.
01:22
And is 2 less than 1? certainly not.
01:26
So this has to be rearranged.
01:32
Into something that follows the rules, the pattern that's set out by the general formula.
01:38
Now suppose, now we're going to answer the question, the textbook asks us.
01:42
Suppose instead of a plus sign, it was a minus sign...