When a polynomial is expressed in standard form, the monomials that form it, terms, are arranged in decreasing order of degree. $$\begin{array}{c}{a}_n{x}^n+a_{n-1}{x}^{n-1}+\dots +a_2{x}^2+a_1{x}^1+a_0{x}^0\end{array}$$ In this form, $n$ is a whole number and the coefficients $a_n,$ $a_{n-1},$ $\dots ,$ $a_2,$ $a_1,$ $a_0$ are real numbers. $$\begin{array}{c}2x^4+3x^3+5x^2+7x+11\end{array}$$ The polynomial above is an example of a standard form polynomial of degree $n=4.$ In some cases, it can be useful to remember that any polynomial, regardless of degree, can be written in standard form. $$\begin{array}{rl}\text{Original:}& x+1-9x^3\\ \text{Standard:}& \text{-}9x^3+x+1\\ \text{Standard:}& \text{-}9x^3+0x^2+x+1\end{array}$$ In this example, the original expression did not contain an $x^2\text{-}$term, but it can be expressed in standard form either without that term or with a coefficient of $0.$