To order the terms [tex]\( p^2, p^4, p^3 \)[/tex], and [tex]\( p \)[/tex] in descending powers of [tex]\( p \)[/tex], we need to look at the exponents of each term. The exponent indicates the power to which the variable [tex]\( p \)[/tex] is raised.
Let's list out each term and its exponent:
- [tex]\( p \)[/tex] has an exponent of 1.
- [tex]\( p^2 \)[/tex] has an exponent of 2.
- [tex]\( p^3 \)[/tex] has an exponent of 3.
- [tex]\( p^4 \)[/tex] has an exponent of 4.
To arrange these terms in descending order of their exponents, we start with the highest exponent and go down to the lowest.
1. The term with the highest exponent is [tex]\( p^4 \)[/tex].
2. The next highest is [tex]\( p^3 \)[/tex].
3. Following that is [tex]\( p^2 \)[/tex].
4. Finally, the term with the lowest exponent is [tex]\( p \)[/tex].
Therefore, the correct order of the terms in descending powers of [tex]\( p \)[/tex] is:
[tex]\[ p^4, p^3, p^2, p \][/tex]
Thus, you should arrange them as:
- [tex]\( p^4 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( p^3 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( p^2 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( p \)[/tex]
