Question

What is the degree of the polynomial `5x^5 + 8x^2 + 2x - 3x^9 - 8x^4 - 4x^5`?

Answer 1

The degree will equal the value of the highest exponent(s) on a term .

Explanation:

This polynomial has a degree of 9 .

Note that `9` is the highest exponent showing up on `-3x^9`

As another example, you can have several variables combined within a term, but it is the sum of the exponents that determines the highest degree:

`5x^10-3x^2+13x^6y^6+7`

Although `10` appears to be the highest degree, do not be tricked! The correct degree for this polynomial is `12`, which is the sum of the exponents on `13x^6y^6`

hope that helped