6.2.1 Finding Real Roots of Polynomial Equations Key Objectives • Use factoring to solve polynomial equations. • Identify the multiplicity of roots. • Use the Rational Root Theorem and the Irrational Root Theorem to solve polynomial equations. Key Terms • The multiplicity of root r is the number of times ( x − r ) appears as a factor of a polynomial P ( x ). Example 1 Using Factoring to Solve Polynomials Recall that by the Zero Product Property, the roots or zeros of the polynomial equation P ( x ) = 0 can be found by setting each factor of P ( x ) equal to 0 and solving for x .
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