Question

When multiplying polynomials for a math assignment, Pat found the product to be -4x+8x^2-2x^3+5. He then had to state the leading coefficient of this polynomial. Pat wrote down -4. Do you agree with Pat’s answer? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

I am not agree with him. Because -2 is the leading coefficient of this polynomial.

Explanation:

Pat multiplied the polynomials for a math assignment.

Then he found the product is
`-4x+8x^2-2x^3+5`

Now Pat wants to find the leading coefficient to this polynomial.

Pat's answer was -4.

But I am not agree with him.

Because for a given polynomial we can calculate the leading coefficient when comparing with degrees of the polynomial.

Leading coefficient means that the coefficient whose degree is the highest.

When compared with the given polynomial we have
`x^3` is the highest degree, so that -2 is the leading coefficient to this polynomial.