Skip to main content
Ch. 1 - Functions
Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 1, Problem 82c

Composition of polynomials
Let ƒ be an nth-degree polynomial and let g be an mth-degree polynomial.
What is the degree of the following polynomials?
ƒ ⋅ f

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the degree of the polynomial \( f \), which is \( n \).
Understand that \( f \cdot f \) represents the composition of the polynomial \( f \) with itself.
Recall that the degree of a polynomial product \( f \cdot g \) is the sum of the degrees of \( f \) and \( g \).
Since \( f \cdot f \) is \( f \) composed with itself, the degree is \( n + n \).
Conclude that the degree of \( f \cdot f \) is \( 2n \).

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
1m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Degree of a Polynomial

The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable in the polynomial expression. For example, in the polynomial f(x) = 3x^4 + 2x^2 + 1, the degree is 4. The degree provides important information about the polynomial's behavior, including the number of roots and the end behavior of its graph.
Recommended video:
6:04
Introduction to Polynomial Functions

Multiplication of Polynomials

When multiplying polynomials, the degree of the resulting polynomial is the sum of the degrees of the polynomials being multiplied. For instance, if f is an nth-degree polynomial and g is an mth-degree polynomial, then the degree of the product f ⋅ g is n + m. This principle is crucial for determining the degree of polynomial expressions resulting from operations.
Recommended video:
6:04
Introduction to Polynomial Functions

Composition of Polynomials

The composition of polynomials involves substituting one polynomial into another. For example, if f(x) is a polynomial and g(x) is another, then the composition f(g(x)) results in a new polynomial. While the question focuses on multiplication, understanding composition helps clarify how polynomials interact, especially in more complex expressions.
Recommended video:
6:04
Introduction to Polynomial Functions
Related Practice