Let $P ( x ) = x ^ { 4 } - 4 x ^ { 3 } + 2 x + 7 x ^ { 2 } - 2$.
Write the terms of $P ( x )$ in descending powers of $x$.
A) none of these
B) $\quad x ^ { 4 } + 7 x ^ { 2 } - 2$
C) $\quad 4 x ^ { 3 } + 2 x - 2$
D) $\quad 2 - 2 x + 7 x ^ { 2 } + 4 x ^ { 3 } - x ^ { 4 }$
E) $\quad x ^ { 4 } - 4 x ^ { 3 } + 7 x ^ { 2 } + 2 x - 2$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The terms of the polynomial should be written in descending order of powers of x, starting with the highest power. This gives: 
\begin{align*}
P(x) &= x^4 - 4x^3 + 7x^2 + 2x - 2 \
&= \boxed{	extbf{(E)}\, x^4 - 4x^3 + 7x^2 + 2x - 2}. \
\end{align*}

Let P(x)=x4−4x3+2x+7x2−2P ( x ) = x ^ { 4 } - 4 x ^ { 3 } + 2 x + 7 x ^ { 2 } - 2P(x)=x4−4x3+2x+7x2−2

Let $P ( x ) = x ^ { 4 } - 4 x ^ { 3 } + 2 x + 7 x ^ { 2 } - 2$