1. Find the degree bf each term and the degree of the polynomial. \( \begin{array}{ll}\text { a. } 2 x^{2}+x-4 & \text { b. } 3 x^{2} y+\frac{x^{3}}{2}+\frac{7}{4}\end{array} \)

We need to examine each term, determine its degree, and then find the highest degree among the terms (which is the degree of the whole polynomial). a. For 2x² + x – 4:  • Term 1: 2x² has a degree of 2.  • Term 2: x is really 1·x¹, so its degree is 1.  • Term 3: –4 is a constant, with a degree of 0.  Thus, the polynomial’s degree is the highest degree among its terms, which is 2. b. For 3x²y + ½x³ + 7/4:  • Term 1: 3x²y involves x with exponent 2 and y with exponent 1, so its total degree is 2 + 1 = 3.  • Term 2: ½x³ has a degree of 3.  • Term 3: 7/4 is a constant and has a degree of 0.  Thus, the degree of this polynomial is also 3. Summary:  a. Degrees of terms: 2, 1, 0; Polynomial degree = 2.  b. Degrees of terms: 3, 3, 0; Polynomial degree = 3.