Identify each term in the polynomial \(a^2 + 2ab + b^2\). The terms are \(a^2\), \$2ab\(, and \)b^2$.
For each term, find the degree by adding the exponents of all variables in that term. For example, in \(a^2\), the exponent of \(a\) is 2, so the degree is 2.
In the term \$2ab\(, the variables are \)a\( and \)b$, each with an exponent of 1. Add these exponents: \(1 + 1 = 2\), so the degree of this term is 2.
In the term \(b^2\), the exponent of \(b\) is 2, so the degree is 2.
The degree of the polynomial is the highest degree among all its terms. Compare the degrees found for each term and identify the largest one.