If a polynomial function is written in descending order, how can you quickly identify the degree, leading term, and leading coefficient?

They can be determined from the first term of the polynomial function.

Polynomial Classification

10th Grade•60 minutes

I can classify polynomials by degree and number of terms.

The degree of a polynomial function is determined by the highest power of the variable in the function.

The leading term is the term that contains the highest power of the variable, and the leading coefficient is the coefficient of the leading term.

Polynomial functions are often written in descending order, where terms are arranged from the highest degree to the lowest degree.

This lesson includes 12 practice questions to reinforce learning.

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1. What is the degree of the polynomial function f(x) = 7x^5 - 3x^2 + 2?

2. Identify the leading term of the polynomial g(t) = -2t^3 + t - 8t^4 + 5.

3. What is the leading coefficient of the polynomial h(s) = s^2 - 4s^5 + 6s - 9?

...and 9 more questions

Degree, Leading Term, and Leading Coefficient of a Polynomial Function

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