Degree is the highest sum of exponents in any term. 4x³ + 2x − 7 has degree 3. 5x²y has degree 3. Polynomials as a set are in polynomials.
Highest power, not the first term
Rewrite in standard form if the terms are scrambled. Constants have degree 0. Exponent rules for multiplying powers are in exponent rules. Evaluating at a number is a different leftover, in evaluating expressions.
The short list is in ACT Math formulas.
The bottom line
Highest total exponent. Do not use the leading coefficient as the degree.
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