1. **Problem statement:** Find the degree of the polynomial \( C = 8bc + 12ac + 21 - 6ax + 2ab + 12 - 7ac + 7ab \). 2. **Combine like terms:** \[ C = (2ab + 7ab) + (12ac - 7ac) + 8bc - 6ax + (21 + 12) \] \[ C = 9ab + 5ac + 8bc - 6ax + 33 \] 3. **Recall the degree of a term:** The degree is the sum of the exponents of the variables in that term. 4. **Calculate degrees of each term:** - \(9ab\): degree \(= 1 + 1 = 2\) - \(5ac\): degree \(= 1 + 1 = 2\) - \(8bc\): degree \(= 1 + 1 = 2\) - \(-6ax\): degree \(= 1 + 1 = 2\) - \(33\): degree \(= 0\) (constant term) 5. **Determine the degree of the polynomial:** The highest degree among terms is \(2\). **Final answer:** The degree of polynomial \(C\) is \(2\).