What is the constant term of the polynomial x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6?

What is the constant term of the polynomial x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6?

• A. 6
• B. -6
• C. 0
• D. -1

Answer: (C)

The constant term is the number in a polynomial that has no x attached—that’s the term with x raised to the power of 0. It’s also what you get if you substitute x = 0, since all terms with x vanish. For x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6, the terms with x are x^3, -6x^2, and 11x. What’s left with no x is -6, so the constant term is -6. This is the option that shows -6.

The constant term is the number in a polynomial that has no x attached—that’s the term with x raised to the power of 0. It’s also what you get if you substitute x = 0, since all terms with x vanish.

For x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6, the terms with x are x^3, -6x^2, and 11x. What’s left with no x is -6, so the constant term is -6. This is the option that shows -6.