01 What is the degree of (14x^2-5x+1)?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. 2
Explanation: The degree of a polynomial is the highest exponent of its variable with a non-zero coefficient. The terms are 14x^2, -5x, and 1, and the greatest exponent of x is 2. Hence, its degree is 2. The term -5x has exponent 1, so 1 is not correct. Exam tip: Look at the highest power of the variable, not at the coefficients.