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Polynomials: Fundamental Theorem of Algebra: P (X) Has N Roots

1) The fundamental theorem of algebra states that any polynomial P(x) of degree n has n roots. 2) Formulas are given for the sum and product of the roots of P(x) in terms of its coefficients. 3) Several theorems are described that relate the signs, factors, and values of the coefficients of P(x) to the possible real and rational roots of the polynomial.

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265 views1 page

Polynomials: Fundamental Theorem of Algebra: P (X) Has N Roots

1) The fundamental theorem of algebra states that any polynomial P(x) of degree n has n roots. 2) Formulas are given for the sum and product of the roots of P(x) in terms of its coefficients. 3) Several theorems are described that relate the signs, factors, and values of the coefficients of P(x) to the possible real and rational roots of the polynomial.

Uploaded by

aniket
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Polynomials

For all polynomials of the form P ( x ) = an x n + an 1 x n 1 + L a1 x + a0 , where ai R :

Fundamental Theorem of Algebra: P(x) has n roots

an 1
an

Sum of roots:

Product of roots:

a0
( 1) n
an

For any ak,

ak
( 1) n + k represents the sum of the product of the roots, taken ( n k ) at a
an

time.
Ex. when n=3,
time.

a1
( 1) 3+ 1 is the sum of product of the roots, taken 3-1 or 2 at a
a3

a1
= ( r1r2 + r2r3 + r3r1 ) , where r1, r2, and r3 are the roots of the polynomial.
a3

Remainder Theorem:
The remainder when P(x) is divided by (x w) is P(w).
Descartes Rule of Signs:
The number of positive real roots of P(x) is z decreased by some multiple of two, (z,
z-2, z-4, etc ). z is the number of sign changes in the coefficients of P(x), counting
from an to a0 . The number of negative real roots is found similarly by finding z for
P(-x).
Ex. For the polynomial x 5 4 x 4 + 3x 2 6x + 1 , there are possibly 4, 2, or 0
positive roots and 1 negative root.
Rational Root Theorem:
If all ai are integers, then the only possible rational roots of P(x) are of the form
where k is a factor of a0 .

k
,
an

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