Question

What is the degree of `3x^4y^2 - 5x^2y + 3`?

Answer 1

It is degree `6`.

Explanation:

The degree of a term (a monomial) is the sum of the exponents on the variables. The degree of a polynomial is equal to the degree of the term of the highest degree term with non-zero coefficient.

The degree of `3x^4y^2` is `6`, because `4+2 = 6`

The degree of `-5x^2y` is `3`, because `2+1 = 3`

The degree of `3` is `0`, because no variable to a positive power appears.

The degree of `3x^4y^2-5x^2y+3` is the greatest of those degree, so it is `6`.

Answer 2

The degree is 6 and it is on the first term `3x4y2`.

Explanation:

You must use exponential rules. When multiplying, sum the exponents. 4 + 2 = 6.