Question

Explain fully and in detail, how would you find the degree of a polynomial?

Answer 1

To find the degree of the polynomial, add up the exponents of each term and select the highest sum.

Explanation:

In case this isn't clear, here's an example. Let's say you have the polynomial 3x^2 - 3x^4 - 5 + 2x + 2x^2 - x. Here are the steps you take to find the degree:

1. Add up the common terms. You should get 5x^2 - 3x^4 - 5 + x

2. Then, you get rid of the coefficients, which are the numbers in front of the x's. You should end up with x^2 - x^4 + x

3. Then, you add the exponents. You should finally get the degree is 6

Since the x has no exponent, you don't count that one. When finding degree, the only thing that matters is the exponents.

Answer 2

To find the degree of the polynomial, you first have to find each term. An example would be ab^2, so to find the degree of each term you add the exponents and pick the highest sum.