Hi,

Let's look at a different expression, 5x² - 4x + 8. In this expression 5 is the coefficient of x², -4 is the coefficient of x and 8 is the constant coefficient. Thus the coefficients in 5 x² - 4 x + 8 are 5, -4 and 8. We most often simplify polynomial before using them but they need not be simplified. For example the polynomial 3x² + 4 - 5x² + x has coefficients 3, 4, -5 and 1.

I hope this helps,
Penny