Question

Consider the polynomial is p(x)=5x(3)=8x(2)-3x+1

What is the degree of the polynomial and what is the leading coefficient?

Answer 1

Degree of polynomial is 3

Leading coefficient is 5

Explanation:

We are given the polynomial

`p(x)=5x^3+8x^2-3x+1`

(Note: the given polynomial in the question p(x)=5x(3)=8x(2)-3x+1 , there can't be = so considering + instead of =. There can be - sign as well.)

We need to find

Degree of polynomial and leading coefficient

Degree of polynomial: The degree of polynomial is the highest exponent of the base.

Leading coefficient: Leading coefficient is the coefficient that is attached with base having highest degree exponent.

In the given polynomial:
`p(x)=5x^3+8x^2-3x+1`

The highest degree is 3 according to the definition above.

So, Degree of polynomial is 3

And the leading coefficient is 5 (5x^3)