Answer:
a. x^4 - 12x^3 + 2x^2 - 2x + 4
Degree: 4
b. x^4 - 2x^2 - 2x - 4
Degree: 4
Explanation:
For part a, all you are doing is adding the polynomials together. They already set up the boxes in standard form, so all you need to do is add each like term as I wrote out in the answer. The degree is then going to be the first exponent that you see once the polynomial is in standard form, which is 4.
For part b, you are now subtracting the polynomials. Again, it is set up for you in standard form. There is no x^3 terms because they cancel out, but you basically subtract each like term from another, and remember to distribute the subtraction sign (it acts as a -1) across the parenthesis. The degree is the first exponent you see, and that is 4.