state the degree of the given polynomial

3x^4-4x^2+7x-1

To find the degree of a polynomial, you need to determine the exponent with the highest power. In this case, the highest exponent is 4, which is on the term 3x^4. Therefore, the degree of the given polynomial 3x^4 - 4x^2 + 7x - 1 is 4.