CBSE Class 10 Answered

Hi Ananya,

f(x) = a_nx ⁿ + a_n−1x ⁿ⁻¹ + . . . + a₂x ² + a₁x + a₀

This a called a Polynomial Function.

Function is something that you will learn in Class XI.

But I will give you a quick understanding about the concept of function.

When you put something in a machine or in your computer or in a calculator, you expect an output or a result out of it. This process is what we call a function.

So, a polynomial function is a function such as a quadratic, a cubic, a quartic, and so on, involving only non-negative integer powers of x. It is defined like this, so we have to use whole numbers.

If we do not use whole numbers, then it will not be a polynomial function. It will be a different function.

You will understand this better when you study the chapter 'FUNCTIONS'.

Also, a₁x is a polynomial which has a₁ (a real number) as its coefficient and the degree of this polynomial

is 1, and so it is called a linear polynomial. Hope this clears your doubt Ananya.

Thanks.