leading coefficient

American  

[lee-ding] / ˈli dɪŋ /

noun

Mathematics.

1. the coefficient of the term of highest degree in a given polynomial. 5 is the leading coefficient in 5 x 3 + 3 x 2 − 2 x + 1.

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Example Sentences

Check first to see if the leading coefficient is a perfect square, a2.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

Don’t forget to look for a GCF first and remember if the leading coefficient is negative, so is the GCF.

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

When the leading coefficient is not a factor of all the terms, we will divide both sides of the equation by the leading coefficient.

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020

Sometimes, after you factor the GCF, the leading coefficient of the trinomial becomes 1 and you can factor it by the methods in the last section.

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020

Since the leading coefficient is negative, the GCF is negative, −6a.

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020