How do you write the polynomial so that the exponents decrease from left to right, identify the degree, and leading coefficient of the polynomial 5z+2z^3-z^2+3z^4?

1 Answer
Feb 26, 2017

3z^4 + 2z^3 -z^2 +5z
4th degree polynomial
Leading coefficient = 3

Explanation:

Recall that the degree of a polynomial is the degree of its higheset term. In this case, it is a 4th degree polynomial because the 3z^4 is the highest exponent.

The "leading coefficient" refers to the constant term in front of the first term when the polynomial is written in standard form, which is 3.