The coefficient of the highest power of x in the polynomial 2x² – 4x⁴ + 5x² – x⁵ + 3 is:

We have,

2x² – 4x⁴ + 5x² – x⁵ + 3

From the given polynomial,

The highest power of x = 5

Coefficient of x⁵ = - 1

Hence, option D is correct