Question Video: Determining the Degree of a Polynomial Expression Mathematics • Third Year of Preparatory School

Video Transcript

What is the degree of the polynomial 𝑥 to the power of four plus six 𝑥 cubed minus two 𝑥 squared plus 𝑥 minus two?

The degree of a polynomial is the highest exponent or power of 𝑥. This is also sometimes known as the exponent of the lead term. In this example, the lead term is 𝑥 to the power of four.

Therefore, the degree of the polynomial 𝑥 to the power of four plus six 𝑥 cubed minus two 𝑥 squared plus 𝑥 minus two is equal to four.

Any polynomial which has a highest power or exponent of four will have a degree of four.