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 Polynomials Polynomial Vocabulary Simplifying expressions Addition Subtraction Multiplication (FOIL) Multiplication Special products Long division Synthetic division Remainder theorem Roots and factors of a polynomial Polynomial Function Roots and factors of a polynomial Let P(x) be a polynomial. A number a such that P(a)=0 is called a root or zero of P. If x=a is a root of a polynomial, then x-a is a factor of that polynomial. Consider the polynomial P(x)=x2+2x-3. Let's plug x=1 into the polynomial: p(1)=12+2·1-3=0. Consequently x=1 is a root of the polynomial P(x)=x2+2x-3. Note that x-1 is a factor of the polynomial P(x)=x2+2x-3. The fundamental theorem of algebra stated that a polynomial P(x) of degree n has n roots, some of which may be degenerate. What are the possible integer roots of P(x)=2x5 -3x3 +4x2 -9x + 6 ? If there are integer roots, they will be factors of the constant term 6; namely 1, -1, 2, -1, 3, -2, 6, -6. Now, is 1 a root? To answer, we will divide the polynomial by x-1 and hope for remainder 0. Yes! 1 is a root! Now, is 1 a root again? To answer, we divide the resulting polynomial by x-1 and hope for remainder 0. Yes! 1 is a root again!. Now, is -2 a root? Yes! -2 is a root! We have: 2x5 -3x3 +4x2 -9x + 6 =(x-1)2(x+2)(2x2 +3)where 2x2 +3 does not have integer roots. Conclude that the integer roots of P(x)=2x5 -3x3 +4x2 -9x + 6 are a=1, b=1 and c=-2 What are the possible integer roots of this polynomial? $\fs2P(x)=-3x^3+15x^2+48x-240$          Roots a= b= c=