i got the leading coefficient which is 2 in this case. However, the degree is getting me confused. i know that i am suppose to use 'n' as the degree of the polynomial but which one?
2007-03-23 02:55:36 · 2 answers · asked by jos3308 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
The degree is 3, because 3 is the largest exponent to which x is raised. A polynomial can be written as C_n*x^n + C_(n-1)*x^(n-1) + C_(n-2)*x^(n-2) + ... + C_1*x + C_0. The C_n's are the coefficients of the powers of x, C_n is non-zero, and n is the degree of the polynomial. So with y = 7x^12 + 3x - 1, for example, the degree is 12.
2007-03-23 02:58:53 · answer #1 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. 2 is the leading coefficient.
The degree would be the 'greatest' power, which in this case would be 3.
2007-03-23 03:22:12 · answer #2 · answered by BlueSmiley 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋