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I am doing this which is supposed to be an easy problem and which I think my code should be correct but for some reasons it is not working. May anyone help correcting my mistakes? How should I write the correct code?

This is the question:

Write a function that takes a polynomial in the variable x as input and computes its degree. Using a pattern test your function should print an error message when the input is not a polynomial. (It is acceptable if your function regards a string object such as "Math" as a polynomial of degree zero).

My answer: 

If[Function[y, PolynomialQ[y, x]][x^2 + 3 x], Exponent[y, x], Print["error"]]

My code always returns zero and I have no idea why. Also, do we have to use Function[] to write a function?

Many thanks in advance for all the helps!

Edit:
Thanks @0x4A4D for suggestion.
Here is my edited code: 

If[Function[x, PolynomialQ[x^2, x]], Exponent[y, x], Print["error"]]

which I think doesn't quite make any sense, the code does not even produce any output. I guess something is wrong with Function[], but not sure how. I would be grateful if anyone could lend some help. I have been doing this question for quite a long time. Thanks!

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    $\begingroup$ PolynomialQ[] is intended to be used directly; that is, PolynomialQ[x^2 + 3 x, x]. Exponent[y, x] is necessarily $0$; I see no x whatsoever in the first argument... $\endgroup$
    – J. M.'s missing motivation ♦
    Commented Jun 13, 2013 at 13:20
  • $\begingroup$ @0x4A4D. Thanks for the advice for PolynomialQ, but how then can we compute the degree and what do you mean by no x in first argument? Thanks. $\endgroup$
    – user71346
    Commented Jun 13, 2013 at 13:26
  • $\begingroup$ There's no x in y, last I checked... if you'd assigned y to something with x in it, like y = x^2 + 3 x;, then you're cooking. $\endgroup$
    – J. M.'s missing motivation ♦
    Commented Jun 13, 2013 at 13:35
  • $\begingroup$ To push you in the right direction: polynomialDegree[poly_, x_] /; PolynomialQ[poly, x] := (* stuff *). $\endgroup$
    – J. M.'s missing motivation ♦
    Commented Jun 13, 2013 at 13:38
  • $\begingroup$ This is as far as I can get: polynomialdegree[poly_, x_] /; PolynomialQ[poly, x] := Exponent[poly, x]. But I cannot print an error message if it is not a polynomial? Should I use If instead, then how can I do it? $\endgroup$
    – user71346
    Commented Jun 13, 2013 at 13:53

3 Answers 3

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There's a bit of a trick that lets you do this with a single definition:

fun::notpoly = "Not a polynomial!!!"
fun[poly_, x_] /; PolynomialQ[poly, x] || Message[fun::notpoly] :=
  something[poly];

This works because the test clause has to be True for the rule to fire, and Message returns Null.

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  • $\begingroup$ emit a message and return unevaluated all in one function call, nice. +1 $\endgroup$
    – rcollyer
    Commented Jun 14, 2013 at 19:16
  • $\begingroup$ Although, strictly speaking, it doesn't use a PatternTest, but Conditional. $\endgroup$
    – rcollyer
    Commented Jun 14, 2013 at 19:16
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First, thanks to 0x4A4D and Markus Roellig for the helps.

This is what I have tried, using built-in functions PolynomialQ and Exponent and an If statement.

dop[f_] := If[PolynomialQ[f, x], d = Exponent[f, x]; Print[d], Print["ERROR"]]

Comments are welcomed, let me know if anything is wrong.

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    $\begingroup$ 1. It would be best if you can make dop take the variable as another argument, in addition to the polynomial. 2. Replace d = Exponent[f, x]; Print[d] with just Exponent[f, x]; it should still work fine. $\endgroup$
    – J. M.'s missing motivation ♦
    Commented Jun 13, 2013 at 14:10
  • $\begingroup$ As @0x4A4D mentioned already,in most cases, you don't need Print to output the result. Matheamtica will automatically output the result when finishing evaluation. $\endgroup$
    – mmjang
    Commented Jun 13, 2013 at 14:16
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This should get you started:

test::wronginp = "test accepts only polynomials as input.";
test[func_?(PolynomialQ[#, x] &)] := "Degree" (* replace with actual degree Determination*)
test[___] := (Message[test::wronginp]; $Failed )

Some tests:

test[x^2 + 1]

"Degree" 

test[Sin[x]]

During evaluation of In[535]:= test::wronginp: test accepts only polynomials as input.

$Failed

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  • $\begingroup$ Abort[] here could be bad, especially if buried in a deeper calculation. Why not return $Failed, instead? Although, the usual case is to return unevaluated. $\endgroup$
    – rcollyer
    Commented Jun 14, 2013 at 19:19
  • $\begingroup$ @rcollyer Good Point. Changed the answer accordingly. $\endgroup$
    – Markus Roellig
    Commented Jun 19, 2013 at 9:33

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