A polynomial where the variable with the highest power has a coefficient of 1
In other words:
• it is a polynomial,
• the highest powered variable has a coefficient of 1 (so x2 not 5x2 etc)
Note: a coefficient of 1 is usually not shown, so we write x2 instead of 1x2
Examples:
x2 + 3 is monic
7x2 + 3 is not monic (the highest power of x2 has a coefficient of 7, not 1)
x3 + 2x2 + 3 is monic (the highest power is x3, with coefficient of 1)
If there is more than one variable it must be decided which is the one to use.