Explain what is meant by the term order and state how the order of a function can be found?

Question

Explain what is meant by the term order and state how the order of a function can be found?

Answer 1

In mahematics the term "order" is used for many purposes. It can mean

1) Degree of a polynomial

2) 2nd order, 3rd order, etc. derivatives - ranking of home times a derivative is nested

3) In asymptotic analysis, "order" refers to "order of magnitude" and possibly the "Big O" and "little o" concepts, etc.

4) In number theory, there is a concept of p-adic orderm see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-adic_orde...

5) In logic, there are different orders of logical statements (sentential logic, predicate logic, etc.)

and others. In what level of mathematics or in what math class does this question arise?

If it is algebra, "order" probably refers to "degree of polynomial", which can be found by graphing, by looking at the formula for the function if you have one, or by algebraically or numerically differentiating repeatedly. For example, x^3+x^2-x+1 is of degree 3, since the highest power of "x" is 3. Sometimes, this is called a "3rd order polynomial".

Please clarify the question and re-post.

Good luck!