confusion about quadratic and linear functions

[trinityscarlet91]

the problem is y=3x squared -12. i have to figure out weather it is a quadratic or linear function. it could be quadratic because of the quadratic term 3x squared but it's only got 2 terms instead of 3. i dont know if just having 2 terms makes it a linear function or if the quadratic term makes it a quadratic function. help please.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

the problem is y=3x squared -12. i have to figure out weather it is a quadratic or linear function.

it could be quadratic because of the quadratic term 3x squared <<< Correct - quadratic functions have the highest power of variable to be 2 - number of terms does not matter (it could be 3 or 2 or 1)

so

y = 3x[sup:10mb6ta6]2[/sup:10mb6ta6] + 4x + 5 .......................is quadratic

y = 3x[sup:10mb6ta6]2[/sup:10mb6ta6] + 4x ...........................is quadratic

y = 3x[sup:10mb6ta6]2[/sup:10mb6ta6] ................................is quadratic



but it's only got 2 terms instead of 3.

i dont know if just having 2 terms makes it a linear function or if the quadratic term makes it a quadratic function. help please.

 

[stapel]

To learn, in general, how polynomial degrees work, try here. :wink: