Question: does a polynomial have to have a variable

Answer: Yes, In mathematics, a polynomial is an expression consisting of variables (also called indeterminates) and coefficients, that involves only the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and non-negative integer exponents of variables. An example of a polynomial of a single indeterminate x is x − 4x + 7. An example in three variables is x + 2xyz − yz + 1.