Question

Determine the coefficient of the fourth term of the expression a^5–14a^3+(-5a)-8ab^2+21b^4

Answer 1

-8

Explanation:

Given:

The expression is given as:

`a^5-14a^3-5a-8ab^2+21b^4`

Rearranging the terms in standard form with the largest exponent as the first term and smallest exponent as the last term. This gives,

`a^5+21b^4-14a^3-8ab^2-5a`

Now, the fourth term is
`-8ab^2`.

The coefficient is the constant value of the term. The given polynomial has two variables 'a' and 'b'. The constant value in the fourth term is -8.

So, the coefficient of the fourth term of the given expression is -8.