Definition:Leading Coefficient of Polynomial/Polynomial Form

Definition

Let $R$ 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 form in the single indeterminate $X$ over $R$.

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

Sources

• 2000: Pierre A. Grillet: Abstract Algebra: $\S \text{III}.6$