For a polynomial, there could be some values of the variable for which the polynomial will be zero. These values are called zeros of a polynomial. Sometimes, they are also referred to as roots of the polynomials. In general, we find the zeros of quadratic equations, to get the solutions for the given equation.

The standard form of a polynomial in x is a_nxⁿ + a_n-1x^n-1 +….. + a₁x + a₀, where a_n, a_n-1, ….. , a₁, a₀ are constants, a_n ≠0 and n is a whole number. For example, algebraic expressions such as √x + x + 5, x² + 1/x² are not polynomials because all exponents of x in terms of the expressions are not whole numbers.

Contents:

• Finding Zeros
• Formula
• Example

How to Find Zeros of Polynomials

Zeros of a polynomial can be defined as the points where the polynomial becomes zero as a whole. A polynomial having value zero (0) is called zero polynomial. The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable x.

• A polynomial of degree 1 is known as a linear polynomial.
  The standard form is ax + b, where a and b are real numbers and a≠0.
  2x + 3 is a linear polynomial.
• A polynomial of degree 2 is known as a quadratic polynomial.
  Standard form is ax² + bx + c, where a, b and c are real numbers and a ≠ 0
  x²+ 3x + 4 is an example for quadratic polynomial.
• Polynomial of degree 3 is known as a cubic polynomial.
  Standard form is ax³+ bx² + cx + d, where a, b, c and d are real numbers and a≠0.
  x³ + 4x + 2 is an example for cubic polynomial.

Similarly,

y⁶ + 3y⁴ + y is a polynomial in y of degree 6.

Points to remember:

• ‘0’ could be a zero of polynomial but it is not necessarily a zero has to be ‘0’ only.
• All the linear polynomials have only one zero.
• The zeros of the polynomial, depend on its degree.

Also, read:

Formula

Consider, P(x) = 4x + 5 to be a linear polynomial in one variable.

Let ‘a’ be zero of P(x), then,

P(a) = 4k+5 = 0

Therefore, k = -5/4

In general, if k is zero of the linear polynomial in one variable: P(x) = ax +b, then;

P(k) = ak+b = 0

k = -b/a

It can also be written as,

Zero of Polynomial K = -(Constant/ Coefficient of x) 

Solved Example

Example 1: What is the value of ‘a’ if degree of polynomial, x³ + x^a-4 + x² + 1, is 4?

Solution:

Degree of a polynomial P(x) is the highest power of x in P(x).

Therefore, x^a-4  = x⁴

a-4 = 4, a = 4+4 =8

Therefore, the value of ‘a’ is 8.

Note: In general; if P(x) is a polynomial in x and k is any real number, then the value of P(k) at x = k is denoted by P(k) is found by replacing x by k in P(x).

Example 2: In the polynomial x² – 3x + 2,

Replacing x by 1 gives,

P(1) = 1 – 3 + 2 = 0

Similarly, replacing x by 2 gives,

P(2) = 4-6+2 = 0

For a polynomial P(x), real number k is said to be zero of polynomial P(x), if P(k) = 0.

Therefore, 1 and 2 are the zeros of polynomial x² – 3x + 2.

We have discussed polynomials and their zeros here. To learn more about polynomials, download BYJU’S – The Learning App.