Root of a Polynomial

What is Root of a Polynomial?

A value of x for which the polynomial P(x) evaluates to zero, and therefore a solution of the equation P(x) = 0. Each linear factor of the polynomial contributes one root, found by setting that factor equal to zero, so the factor x - a gives the root x = a and the factor 2x - 1 gives the root x = one half. A cubic with real coefficients has at most three real roots and at least one; a repeated linear factor produces a repeated root.

This definition is part of the Factors of Polynomials chapter in Cambridge O Level Additional Mathematics.

Concepts related to Root of a Polynomial

• zero product property
• repeated root
• Discriminant