Definition:Leading Coefficient (Polynomial)

Definition

Let $A$ be a commutative ring with unity.

Let $f = a_0 + a_1 X + \cdots + a_{r-1} X^{r-1} + a_r X^r$ be a polynomial in the single indeterminate $X$ over $A$.

Then the ring element $a_r$ is called the leading coefficient of $f$.

Sources

• Thomas A. Whitelaw: An Introduction to Abstract Algebra (1978)... (previous)... (next): $\S 64$