How many zeros does f(x) have? f(x)=x(x-2)(x+1)^2

By expanding the (x+1)^2 you get f(x)=x(x-2)(x+1)(x+1)...but i'm not sure if that means there are 3 zeros or 4 zeros since it's repeating.

Question

How many zeros does f(x) have? f(x)=x(x-2)(x+1)^2

By expanding the (x+1)^2 you get f(x)=x(x-2)(x+1)(x+1)...but i'm not sure if that means there are 3 zeros or 4 zeros since it's repeating.

dumbcow · Answer

no its only 3 zeros ... the zero x=-1  is repeating

anonymous · Answer

Thank you for clearing that up :)

dumbcow · Answer

no problem...in the technical sense all functions to the 4th power have 4 zeros if you include imaginary and repeated zeros
but typically when they ask for num of zeros they want how many distinct real zeros are there