Syntax as with Deg . There is a built-in function to compute the leading term of a polynomial, using the Lterm . Follow it with the expression whose leading term is to be computed. This is on the keyboard, upper left. Don't confuse it with apostrophe.
Differentiation is with respect to the variable of highest precedence.
There are functions Factor , Sqfree , and Irred to factor one variable polynomials and test for irreducibility, both over finite fields. These are described in detail below. See the earlier chapter on built-in functions for descriptions of Level, Height, Raise, Lower, Lcoef, Content , and Numcon . The point of this feature is speed. But since the expression is written in the canonical order, y can be pieced together without any calls to addition or multiplication at all.