The degree of the polynomial 5x^6 + 2x^4 − 11 is determined by which term?

Correct answer: 5x⁶

For a non-zero polynomial in one variable, the degree is the greatest exponent of the variable whose coefficient is non-zero. In 5x^6 + 2x^4 − 11, the powers of x are 6, 4, and 0, because the constant term −11 can be written as −11x^0. The greatest exponent is 6, and it occurs in 5x^6, whose coefficient 5 is non-zero. Thus option A is correct and the polynomial has degree 6. The coefficient 5 does not determine the degree; it only multiplies the power of x. The term 2x^4 has a smaller exponent, −11 has degree zero, and the isolated number 2 is not a term in the displayed polynomial. The leading term therefore determines the answer.