Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Zeros of a Polynomial
The zeros of a polynomial function are the values of x for which the function equals zero. These points are where the graph intersects the x-axis. To find the zeros, we set the polynomial equal to zero and solve for x, which often involves factoring the polynomial.
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Multiplicity of Zeros
The multiplicity of a zero refers to the number of times a particular zero appears as a factor in the polynomial. If a zero has an even multiplicity, the graph touches the x-axis and turns around at that point. Conversely, if the multiplicity is odd, the graph crosses the x-axis at that zero.
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Graph Behavior at Zeros
The behavior of a polynomial graph at its zeros is determined by the multiplicity of each zero. For zeros with odd multiplicity, the graph will cross the x-axis, while for zeros with even multiplicity, it will touch the x-axis and turn around. Understanding this behavior helps in sketching the graph of the polynomial function.
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