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Polynomial Degree


The highest power in a univariate polynomial is known as its degree, or sometimes "order." For example, the polynomial

 P(x)=a_nx^n+...+a_2x^2+a_1x+a_0

is of degree n, denoted degP(x)=n. The (structural) degree of a polynomial is implemented in the Wolfram Language as Exponent[poly, x]. Richardson's theorem proves that it is recursively undecidable to determine the degree of an arbitrary polynomial.


See also

Degree, Polynomial, Polynomial Order, Richardson's Theorem

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Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Polynomial Degree." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/PolynomialDegree.html

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