Question

What is a root of a polynomial function?
A. A value of the variable that makes the polynomial equal to zero
B. The coefficient of the leading term of the polynomial
C. A coefficient of the polynomial that is equal to zero
D. The value of the polynomial when zero is substituted for the variable

Answer 1

Do you know what a root is?

Answer 2

No

Answer 3

Okay, a root means a solution or a "zero." It's called a zero because you can plug its opposite into the original function to get 0.

Answer 4

B is incorrect because the coefficients have nothing to do with the roots.

Answer 5

Same reasoning for C. The solution is the part you substitute for the variable (probably for x). That leaves you with A and D. Which do you think is correct?

Answer 6

A?

Answer 7

Perfect!! Because the value of the polynomial when 0 is substituted, again, doesn't have anything to do with the root/solution/zero. Another thing to remember is that the root is the same thing as an x-intercept. If you have a root of, say, (x + 2), you have to substitute it's OPPOSITE to check that it's a root. In this case, you would substitute -2, and it would give you a remainder of 0. Best of luck!

Answer 8

Is that all? :)

Answer 9

Wow thank you so much!