Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
leading-coefficient
Noun
/ˈliːdɪŋ kəˈɛfɪʃənt/
Definition
The leading coefficient is the coefficient of the term with the highest degree in a polynomial.
Examples
- In the polynomial 4x² + 2x – 5, the leading coefficient is 4.
- The leading coefficient determines the direction of the parabola in a quadratic function.
- For the polynomial -3x³ + 5x² + 6, the leading coefficient is -3.
Meaning
It indicates how the polynomial behaves as the variable approaches infinity or negative infinity.
Synonyms
- Leading term coefficient
- Primary coefficient
