What is the degree of the polynomial that results from subtracting a 2nd degree polynomial from a 3rd degree polynomial

Answer 1

still 3 degree

but for example try x^3 - x^2 = x^2(x-1) = x(x)(x-1) whereas x^3 = x(x)(x)

the subtraction could lead to smaller factors of the cubic polynomial. x-1 is smaller than x, and 1 has degree 0, so in some sense you reduced the degree of one of the factors' terms. 1=x^0. anything to the zero power = 1

so that last factor is (x^1-x^0)

(if you missed this on a test, try that excuse to get your math instructor to give you a couple points partial credit--it's worth a try, as you exhibit more knowledge of math than the problem even involved)

Answer 2

It is still a third degree polynomial. The degree is determined by the term with the highest power