Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polynomial Functions
A polynomial function is a mathematical expression involving a sum of powers in one or more variables multiplied by coefficients. The general form of a polynomial in one variable is f(x) = a_n*x^n + a_(n-1)*x^(n-1) + ... + a_1*x + a_0, where 'n' is a non-negative integer and 'a_n' are constants. Understanding the structure of polynomial functions is essential for finding their zeros.
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Zeros of a Polynomial
The zeros of a polynomial function are the values of 'x' for which the function evaluates to zero, i.e., f(x) = 0. These points are crucial as they represent the x-intercepts of the graph of the polynomial. The multiplicity of a zero indicates how many times that zero is repeated as a root, affecting the shape of the graph at that point.
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Multiplicity of Zeros
Multiplicity refers to the number of times a particular zero appears as a root of a polynomial. If a zero has an odd multiplicity, the graph will cross the x-axis at that zero, while an even multiplicity means the graph will touch the x-axis and turn around. Understanding multiplicity helps in predicting the behavior of the polynomial function near its zeros.
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