Question

How do you find the degree and leading coefficient of the polynomial `p^5+7p^3-p^6`?

Answer 1

Degree: `6`
Leading Coefficient: `-1`

Explanation:

The degree of a polynomial function is the largest exponent in the polynomial. By looking at the given polynomial, the highest exponent is `6` so the degree is `6`

The leading coefficient is the coefficient of the variable of the highest exponent. We've already established that the highest exponent is `6`. The coefficient of the term with this exponent `-x^6` is `-1`