Problem 4 Using Differences to Determine Degree

What is the degree of the polynomial function that generates the data shown below?

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The degree of the polynomial function is 3.

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4. 1. What is the degree of the polynomial function that generates the data shown below?

      x	y
      − 3 negative 3	23
      − 2 negative 2	− 16 negative 16
      − 1 negative 1	− 15 negative 15
      0	− 10 negative 10
      1	− 13 negative 13
      2	− 12 negative 12
      3	29

   2. Reasoning What is an example of a polynomial function whose fifth differences are constant but whose fourth differences are not constant?