document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1106848>Question 1106848</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> If the following is a polynomial function, then state its degree and leading coefficient. If it is not, then state this fact. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "f(x) = -15x^5 - 7x^4 + 3 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #721830 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13200)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=greenestamps><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=721830\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Basic vocabulary, so it's important to learn....<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Yes, it is a polynomial, because each term is either a constant or a constant times any number of variables, all of which are raised to powers that are whole numbers.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "For the degree and leading coefficient of a polynomial, find the term with the highest power of the variable (or highest combined power of all the variables).  The degree is that highest power; the leading coefficient is the constant part of that term (including sign).<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "For this example, the highest power term is -15x^5; so the degree is 5 and the leading coefficient is -15. </SPAN>\n" );
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