OmegaLearn.org Chapter 1.

Algebra

Theorem 1.9.11 (Representation of Polynomial in terms of roots)

In a polynomial
P (x) = an xn + an−1 xn−1 + · · · + a1 x1 + a0
it can be expressed in the form

an (x − r1 )(x − r2 )(x − r3 ) . . . (x − rn )

where r1 , r2 , r3 , . . . , rn are the n roots of the polynomial.

Corollary 1.9.12 (Representation of Monic Polynomial in terms of roots)

In a polynomial
P (x) = xn + an−1 xn−1 + . . . a1 x1 + a0
(with leading coeffecient 1), it can be expressed in the form

(x − r1 )(x − r2 )(x − r3 ) . . . (x − rn )

where r1 , r2 , r3 , . . . , rn are the n roots of the polynomial.

Theorem 1.9.13 (Fundamental theorem of Algebra)

A polynomial of degree n (the largest term is to the power of n) has n complex roots
including multiplicity (for example, a double root would be counted as 2 roots when
including multiplicity)

Theorem 1.9.14 (Conjugate Root Theorem)

If a + bi is a root of a polynomial with real coefficients, then a − bi will be too.

Theorem 1.9.15
√ √
If a + b c is a root of a polynomial with rational coefficients, then a − b c will be too.

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