Find the degree of the polynomial x^3 + x + 1.

syms x
p = x^3 + x + 1;
deg = polynomialDegree(p)

deg =
     3

Specify variables as the second argument of polynomialDegree. Find the degree of the polynomial a^2*x^3 + b^6*x with the default independent variables found by symvar, the variable x, and the variables [a x].

syms a b x
p = a^2*x^3 + b^6*x;
deg = polynomialDegree(p)    % uses symvar

deg =
     7

deg = polynomialDegree(p,x)

deg =
     3

vars = [a x];
deg = polynomialDegree(p,vars)

deg =
     5