Which of the following is a monomial?

A. [tex][tex]$20 x^9$[/tex][/tex]
B. [tex][tex]$20 x^9 - 7 x$[/tex][/tex]
C. [tex][tex]$\frac{9}{x}$[/tex][/tex]
D. [tex][tex]$11 x - 9$[/tex][/tex]



Answer :

To determine which of the following expressions is a monomial, let's start by figuring out what a monomial is.

A monomial is a single term consisting of a constant, a variable, or the product of a constant and one or more variables raised to non-negative integer exponents. In other words, a monomial cannot have multiple terms, fractions with variables in the denominator, or negative exponents.

Let's evaluate each option:

Option A: [tex]\( 20x^9 \)[/tex]
- This expression is a single term.
- It consists of a constant (20) and a variable (x) raised to a non-negative integer exponent (9).
- Therefore, [tex]\( 20x^9 \)[/tex] is a monomial.

Option B: [tex]\( 20x^9 - 7x \)[/tex]
- This expression has two terms: [tex]\( 20x^9 \)[/tex] and [tex]\(-7x\)[/tex].
- Since a monomial can have only one term, [tex]\( 20x^9 - 7x \)[/tex] is not a monomial.

Option C: [tex]\( \frac{9}{x} \)[/tex]
- This expression involves a variable (x) in the denominator.
- A monomial cannot have a variable in the denominator.
- Therefore, [tex]\( \frac{9}{x} \)[/tex] is not a monomial.

Option D: [tex]\( 11x - 9 \)[/tex]
- This expression has two terms: [tex]\( 11x \)[/tex] and [tex]\(-9\)[/tex].
- Since a monomial can have only one term, [tex]\( 11x - 9 \)[/tex] is not a monomial.

Given this analysis, the correct answer is Option A, [tex]\( 20x^9 \)[/tex], as it is the only expression that meets the criteria of being a monomial.

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