1. Find the degrees of the following polynomials:

(A) $2x^2 - 5x + 3$

(B) $y^{3} + 2y - 1$

(C) -9

(D) 4z - 3 [Page No. 18]

(A) Highest power of the polynomial is 2.

Degree = 2

(B) Highest power of the polynomial is 3.

Degree = 3

(C) Highest power of the polynomial is 0.

Degree = 0 (constant polynomial)

(D) Highest power of the polynomial is 1.

Degree = 1

 Caution
Students should remember that the degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable. A non-zero constant such as −9 has degree 0, while the degree of the zero polynomial is not defined.