SOLUTION: How to find the leading coefficient and degree of: f(x) = 12x^3 - 12x^2 - 24x what I have: f(x) = 12x(x^2 - x - 2) f(x) = 12x(x+1)(x-2) x-int: (-1,0),(2,0),(0,0) y-int:

Question 917137: How to find the leading coefficient and degree of:
f(x) = 12x^3 - 12x^2 - 24x
what I have:
f(x) = 12x(x^2 - x - 2)
f(x) = 12x(x+1)(x-2)
x-int: (-1,0),(2,0),(0,0)
y-int: (0,0)
Wouldn't the degree be 6 because you add the exponents so 3+2+1 = 6
The leading coefficient is 12 because 12 has x^3 attached to it which is the highest degree term.
When I plug this graph into a graphing calculator I get a graph pointing in different directions, so I know it must be negative.
What am I misunderstanding?
Thank you
Found 2 solutions by stanbon, MathLover1:
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
How to find the leading coefficient and degree of:
f(x) = 12x^3 - 12x^2 - 24x
what I have:
f(x) = 12x(x^2 - x - 2)
f(x) = 12x(x+1)(x-2)
x-int: (-1,0),(2,0),(0,0)
y-int: (0,0)
------
Leading coefficient:: 12
Degree:: 3 because x^3 is the highest power term.
------------------
Cheers,
Stan H.

Answer by MathLover1(20849) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
if you have , the highest degree is (you know that by looking the term )
since the coefficient of the term with the highest degree is called the leading coefficient, in your case it is (

so, the answer to your question "Wouldn't the degree be 6 because you add the exponents so 3+2+1 = 6" is NO...you do not add the exponents to determine degree

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