Polynomial Equations and Their Roots
Big Idea: A polynomial equation sets a polynomial expression equal to zero, and its roots (or zeros) are the values of the variable that make the equation true. Understanding roots is one of the most powerful ideas in all of algebra.
1. What Is a Polynomial?
A polynomial is an expression made up of variables and coefficients, combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication, where the exponents on the variable are non-negative integers.
The general form of a polynomial of degree $n$ is: