Chapter 4.1, Problem 19E

To determine

To state: the degree and leading coefficient of $p^5+7p^3-p^6$ .

Answer to Problem 19E

Degree 6

Leading coefficient − 1

Explanation of Solution

Given information: Polynomial $p^5+7p^3-p^6$

Calculation:

  $p^5+7p^3-p^6$

To find the degree, we must find the highest power of the variable used in the polynomial.

Variable p, highest power of p is $p^6$

  $\Rightarrow$ Degree is 6

To find the leading coefficient, find the factor that the term of highest power is multiplied with.

Term with highest power: $-p^6$

  $\Rightarrow$ Leading coefficient is − 1

Degree 6

Leading coefficient − 1