Definition:Coefficient of Polynomial

General definition
Let $R$ be a commutative ring with unity.

Let $P \in R \sqbrk x$ be a polynomial over $R$.

By Mononomials form Basis of Polynomial Ring, the set $\set {x^k : k \in \N}$ is a basis of $R \sqbrk x$.

By Equality of Mononomials of Polynomial Ring, all $x^k$ are distinct.

The coefficient of $x^k$ in $P$, or the $k$th coefficient of $P$, is the $x^k$-coordinate of $P$ with respect to the basis $\set {x^k : k \in \N}$.

Polynomial in Ring Element
Let $\struct {R, +, \circ}$ be a ring.

Let $\struct {S, +, \circ}$ be a subring of $R$.

Let $x \in R$.

Let $\ds f = \sum_{j \mathop = 0}^n \paren {a_j \circ x^j} = a_0 + a_1 \circ x + a_2 \circ x^2 + \cdots + a_{n - 1} \circ x^{n - 1} + a_n \circ x^n$ be a polynomial in $x$ over $R$.

The elements of the set $\set {a_0, a_1, \ldots, a_n}$ are the coefficients of $f$.

Also see

 * Definition:Degree of Polynomial
 * Definition:Leading Coefficient of Polynomial