Exercise · ZW-POLYNOMIAL-RING-010 · ★★★ Advanced

How many polynomials of degree exactly 2 are there in \(\mathbb{Z}_{3}[x]\)?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • C. \(18\)

Explanation

The coefficient of \(x^2\) has 2 choices (nonzero) and those of \(x\) and the constant term have 3 each: \(2\cdot3\cdot3=18\). The 27 would include those of lower degree.

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Review the concept: Polynomial ring

The polynomial ring \(R[x]\) over a commutative ring \(R\) with identity consists of the finite sums of terms \(a_ix^i\), with coefficients \(a_i\in R\) and an indeterminate \(x\).

\[\Big(\sum_i a_ix^i\Big)\Big(\sum_j b_jx^j\Big)=\sum_k\Big(\sum_{i+j=k}a_ib_j\Big)x^k\]

More practice problems: polynomial ring

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