A polynomial of degree n has:a)Only one zerob)At least n zeroesc)More ...
Maximum number of zeroes of a polynomial = Degree of the polynomial
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A polynomial of degree n has:a)Only one zerob)At least n zeroesc)More ...
Understanding Polynomial Zeros
Polynomials are mathematical expressions that involve variables raised to whole number powers. The degree of a polynomial is defined as the highest power of the variable in the expression.
Key Concept: The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
- This theorem states that a polynomial of degree n has exactly n roots (or zeros) in the complex number system, counting multiplicities.
Option Analysis
- Option A: Only one zero
- This is not always true; a polynomial can have multiple zeros or none.
- Option B: At least n zeros
- While a polynomial has exactly n roots, some could be repeated (counted multiple times), but they don’t guarantee distinct zeros.
- Option C: More than n zeros
- This is incorrect. A polynomial of degree n cannot have more than n roots.
- Option D: At most n zeros
- This is the correct answer. A polynomial can have anywhere from 0 to n zeros. Zeros can be real or complex. For example:
- A quadratic polynomial (degree 2) can have 0, 1, or 2 real roots.
- A cubic polynomial (degree 3) can have 0, 1, 2, or 3 real roots.
Conclusion
In summary, a polynomial of degree n can have at most n zeros, which may include repeated roots and complex solutions. This is a fundamental principle in algebra that helps in understanding the behavior of polynomial functions.