No, the student is not correct.
The given polynomial, -4x^5 - 3x^4 + 8x^7 - 6x, has a total of 4 terms: -4x^5, -3x^4, 8x^7, and -6x.
However, the degree of the polynomial is determined by the highest exponent of x in any term. In this case, the highest exponent of x is 7, so the degree of the polynomial is 7, not 4.
Additionally, the leading coefficient is the coefficient of the term with the highest degree. In this case, the coefficient of 8x^7 is positive, not negative. Therefore, the student is incorrect on both counts.
A student states that -4x^5 - 3x^4 + 8x^7 - 6x has:
four terms
a degree of 4
and a negative leading coefficient
Is the student correct? Explain
1 answer
1 answer