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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.

Example Sentences

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The polynomial function is of even degree and leading coefficient is negative.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

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

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

What happens when the leading coefficient is not 1 and there is no GCF?

From Textbooks • May 6, 2020

Since the expression −8y − 24 has a negative leading coefficient, we use −8 as the GCF.

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020

The trinomial inside the parentheses has a leading coefficient that is not 1.

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.