Intermediate Algebra, Chapter 5, 5.2, Section 5.2, Problem 14

Write the polynomial $q^2 +3q^4 - 2q + 1$ in descending power of the variable. Then give the
leading term and leading coefficient.

Reorder the polynomial $3q^4 + q^2 - 2q + 1$ alphabetically from left to right, starting with the highest order term.

A polynomial consists of terms, which are also known as monomials.
The leading term in a polynomial is the highest degree term. In this case, the leading term in $3q^4 + q^2 - 2q + 1$ is the first term, which is $3q^4$

The leading coefficient in a polynomial is the coefficient of the leading term. In this case, the leading term is $3q^4$ and the leading coefficient is 3