Answer:
12
Explanation:
The degree of a polynomial is the great sum of the exponents in one term. Terms are not separated by addition or subtraction.
The terms are:
12c⁵d⁴
9c³d⁹
- 7
Add the total value of the exponents in each of the terms:
12c⁵d⁴: 5+4=9
9c³d⁹: 3+9 = 12
- 7: Sum is 0 because there are no exponents.
Choose the greatest sum of a term: 0, 9 or 12?
The degree is 12 because it is greater than 9 and 0.