Find the Degree, Leading Term, and Leading Coefficient -3x^5+9x^4-2x^2

$- 3 x^{5} + 9 x^{4} - 2 x^{2}$

Step 1

The degree of a polynomial is the highest degree of its terms.

Identify the exponents on the variables in each term, and add them together to find the degree of each term.

$- 3 x^{5} \to 5$

$9 x^{4} \to 4$

$- 2 x^{2} \to 2$

The largest exponent is the degree of the polynomial.

$5$

Step 2

The leading term in a polynomial is the term with the highest degree.

$- 3 x^{5}$

Step 3

The leading coefficient of a polynomial is the coefficient of the leading term.

The leading term in a polynomial is the term with the highest degree.

$- 3 x^{5}$

The leading coefficient in a polynomial is the coefficient of the leading term.

$- 3$

Step 4

List the results.

Polynomial Degree: $5$

Leading Term: $- 3 x^{5}$

Leading Coefficient: $- 3$