Solving Polynomial Equations

Front

What is a polynomial?

Back

A polynomial is a mathematical expression that consists of variables, coefficients, and non-negative integer exponents, combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Front

What does it mean to find the zeros of a polynomial?

Back

Finding the zeros of a polynomial means determining the values of x for which the polynomial equals zero.

Front

What is an x-intercept?

Back

An x-intercept is a point where a function crosses the x-axis, meaning the output (y-value) is zero.

Front

How do you find the zeros of a polynomial function?

Back

To find the zeros, set the polynomial equal to zero and solve for x.

Front

What is the degree of a polynomial?

Back

The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable in the expression.

Front

What is a root of a polynomial?

Back

A root of a polynomial is another term for a zero; it is a value of x that makes the polynomial equal to zero.

Front

What is the factored form of a polynomial?

Back

The factored form of a polynomial expresses it as a product of its linear factors.

Front

What is the relationship between the degree of a polynomial and the number of zeros?

Back

A polynomial of degree n can have up to n zeros.

Front

What is synthetic division?

Back

Synthetic division is a simplified method of dividing a polynomial by a linear binomial.

Front

What is the Remainder Theorem?

Back

The Remainder Theorem states that the remainder of the division of a polynomial f(x) by (x - c) is f(c).