1. Let $f(x) = x^4-3x^2 + 2$ and $g(x) = 2x^4 - 6x^2 + 2x -1$. Let $b$ be a constant. What is the smallest possible degree of the polynomial $f(x) + b * g(x)$?
2. Find the coefficient of z in the product (-3z^2-7z+4)(6z^2-z+6)
3. Let $f(x) = x^3 + 3x ^2 + 4x - 7$ and $g(x) = -7x^4 + 5x^3 +x^2 - 7$. What is the coefficient of $x^3$ in the sum $f(x) + g(x)$?