Identify each term in the polynomial: \(a^2\), \$2ab$, and $b^2$.
Determine the degree of each term by adding the exponents of the variables in that term. For example, in \(a^2\), the degree is 2 because the exponent of \(a\) is 2.
For the term \$2ab$, add the exponents of $a$ and $b$. Since both $a$ and $b$ have an exponent of 1, the degree of this term is \(1 + 1 = 2\).
For the term \(b^2\), the degree is 2 because the exponent of \(b\) is 2.
The degree of the polynomial is the highest degree among its terms, so compare the degrees found and select the largest one.