Mathematics

Mathematics

Problem

Answer the following questions about the relationship between the degree of a polynomial and the degree of its derivative. a. (i) Explain, without carrying out explicit differentiation, why the derivative of a non-constant polynomial of degree nn must be a polynomial of degree n−1n-1. b. (ii) Using your reasoning from part (i), predict the degree of the derivative of q(x)=7x9−5x4+3q(x)=7x^9-5x^4+3. c. (iii) Verify your prediction in part (ii) by differentiating q(x)q(x) and writing the resulting polynomial.

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