Degree of a polynomial

The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of \(x\) which appears in it. For example, the degree of \(7-5x+4x^2\) is \(2\), as the highest power of \(x\) which appears is \(x^2\). The degree of a constant polynomial (such as \(7\)) is zero, as the polynomial can be thought of as \(7x^0\). The degree of the zero polynomial (\(0\)) is usually considered to be undefined.