Why does the degree of x2 + abcx equal 4?

The degree of a polynomial is the largest number of letters that are
multiplied together in a term.

First write out the polynomial without any exponents showing

x2 + abcx

becomes

xx + abcx

The first term has 2 letters multiplied together and the second term 
has 4 letters multiplied together. 4 is the larger of the two so the 
degree of the polynomial is 4.

Edwin
AnlytcPhil@aol.com