Question

How do I find the degree of a function? And tell if the leading coefficient is negative or positive.

Answer 1

Okay it's very easy, here is an example for the sake of helping you =)\[10x^2 + 15x^3 - 13^2 +1x^3y\]
No here our degree of the function is what, any guesses?

Answer 2

*now

Answer 3

15?

Answer 4

10 I mean right?

Answer 5

10 is the coefficient of the leading term

Answer 6

No, our degree is 3

Answer 7

so the degree would be 3.

Answer 8

Our function here is a third degree polynomial, and our leading coefficient is 10

Answer 9

Yes the degree is 3. That is because it is the greatest power to which any of our terms is multiplied by, do you understand?

Answer 10

Aren't you suppose to right the exponets in either desending or ascending form? Yes I understand.

Answer 11

Yes, you could do that, that would be called puting these in standard form, and they would be from greatest power to least power, i believe =)

Answer 12

So would 15 be the coeficent of the leading term?

Answer 13

Yes that is the largest coefficient, so that makes it the leading coefficient =)

Answer 14

Leading coefficient: The leading coefficient is the coefficient of the independent variable to highest power.

Answer 15

Degree: The degree of a polynomial function is equal to the highest exponent found on the independent variables.

Answer 16

Thank you much country girl.

Answer 17

No prob, just went over this in my Algebra class, so it helps me solidify it in my head, by helping you =) Let me know if you need more help =)