Mathematics · Polynomial Functions · Topic 2 · 2 of 18
Degree and Leading Coefficient
Find the degree, leading term, and leading coefficient of a polynomial.
Standard formArrange terms from greatest exponent to smallest exponent.
DegreeThe greatest exponent with a nonzero coefficient.
Leading coefficientThe coefficient of the term with the greatest exponent.
Worked example
f(x)=−5x⁶+3x⁴−8x+2
The leading term is −5x⁶, the degree is 6, and the leading coefficient is −5.