Question

A real number k is said to be a zero of a polynomial if p(x) if

• A. p(k) = 1
• B. p(k) = -1
• C. p(k) = 0
• D. p(k) = $\pm 1$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

p(k) = 0

The zero of the polynomial is defined as any real value of x, for which the value of the polynomial becomes zero.

A real number k is a zero of a polynomial p(x), if p(k) = 0.

For example $P\left(x\right)=x^2-3x-4$

then $P(-1)=(-1{)}^2-(3\times -1)-4=0$

and $P\left(4\right)=(4{)}^2-(3\times 4)-4=0$

$\therefore$ -1 and 4 are called the zeros of the quadratic polynomial $x^2-3x-4$