Find the Degree, Leading Term, and Leading Coefficient f(x)=x^4-4x^2

$f (x) = x^{4} - 4 x^{2}$

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.

$x^{4} \to 4$

$- 4 x^{2} \to 2$

The largest exponent is the degree of the polynomial.

$4$

Step 2

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

$x^{4}$

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.

$x^{4}$

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

$1$

Step 4

List the results.

Polynomial Degree: $4$

Leading Term: $x^{4}$

Leading Coefficient: $1$