Math Snap

STEP 1

1. The degree of a term in a polynomial is the sum of the exponents of the variables in that term.
2. The degree of a polynomial is the highest degree of its terms.

STEP 2

1. Identify the degree of each term.
2. Determine the degree of the polynomial.

STEP 3

Identify the degree of the first term, $8a^3b$.
The term $8a^3b$ has variables $a$ and $b$ with exponents 3 and 1, respectively.
Degree of the term = $3 + 1 = 4$.

STEP 4

Identify the degree of the second term, $-2a^7$.
The term $-2a^7$ has the variable $a$ with an exponent of 7.
Degree of the term = $7$.

STEP 5

Identify the degree of the third term, $6b^8$.
The term $6b^8$ has the variable $b$ with an exponent of 8.
Degree of the term = $8$.

STEP 6

Identify the degree of the fourth term, $-6$.
The term $-6$ is a constant term with no variables.
Degree of the term = $0$.

Determine the degree of the polynomial.
The degrees of the terms are 4, 7, 8, and 0.
The degree of the polynomial is the highest of these degrees, which is $8$.
The degree of the polynomial is $\boxed{8}$.