Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Monomials
A monomial is a mathematical expression that consists of a single term, which can be a constant, a variable, or a product of constants and variables raised to non-negative integer powers. In the given question, −4xⁿ is a monomial that will be multiplied by each term of the polynomial.
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Polynomials
A polynomial is an algebraic expression that consists of one or more terms, where each term includes a coefficient and a variable raised to a non-negative integer exponent. The expression (3x²ⁿ − 5xⁿ + 1/2 x) is a polynomial with three terms, and understanding how to manipulate polynomials is essential for performing operations like multiplication.
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Distributive Property
The distributive property is a fundamental algebraic principle that states a(b + c) = ab + ac. This property is crucial when multiplying a monomial by a polynomial, as it allows you to distribute the monomial across each term of the polynomial, ensuring that all terms are accounted for in the final expression.
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