Question

When the polynomial is written in standard form, what are the values of the leading coefficient and the constant? 5x + 2 - 3x^2

Answer 1

Leading coefficient = -3
Constant = 2

When you order them in standard form, you need to put them in ascending order of the exponents. Therefore the -3x^2 would come first, which makes the number attached (-3) the lead coefficient.

Also, since the number (2) without an x attached would be last (due to the power of x technically being 0), than that is the constant.