document.write( "Question 917137: How to find the leading coefficient and degree of:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "f(x) = 12x^3 - 12x^2 - 24x\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "what I have:
\n" ); document.write( "f(x) = 12x(x^2 - x - 2)
\n" ); document.write( "f(x) = 12x(x+1)(x-2)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x-int: (-1,0),(2,0),(0,0)
\n" ); document.write( "y-int: (0,0)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Wouldn't the degree be 6 because you add the exponents so 3+2+1 = 6
\n" ); document.write( "The leading coefficient is 12 because 12 has x^3 attached to it which is the highest degree term.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "When I plug this graph into a graphing calculator I get a graph pointing in different directions, so I know it must be negative.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "What am I misunderstanding?
\n" ); document.write( "Thank you
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #556520 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
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How to find the leading coefficient and degree of:
\n" ); document.write( "f(x) = 12x^3 - 12x^2 - 24x
\n" ); document.write( "what I have:
\n" ); document.write( " f(x) = 12x(x^2 - x - 2)
\n" ); document.write( " f(x) = 12x(x+1)(x-2)
\n" ); document.write( "x-int: (-1,0),(2,0),(0,0)
\n" ); document.write( " y-int: (0,0)
\n" ); document.write( "------
\n" ); document.write( "Leading coefficient:: 12
\n" ); document.write( "Degree:: 3 because x^3 is the highest power term.
\n" ); document.write( "------------------
\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H.
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