The degree of a polynomial is determined by the highest sum of the exponents of the variables in each term of the polynomial.
In the case of our polynomial 4xy + 11y + 3, we can break down each term:
- For the term 4xy, the exponents are:
- For x: 1
- For y: 1
- The sum of the exponents is 1 + 1 = 2.
- For the term 11y, the exponent of y is:
- For y: 1
- The degree is 1.
- For the constant term 3, there are no variables, so the degree is:
- 0.
Now, we compare the degrees of all the terms: 2 (from 4xy), 1 (from 11y), and 0 (from 3). The highest degree is 2.
Therefore, the degree of the polynomial 4xy + 11y + 3 is 2.