Roots of multiplicity - Polynomials (1 Viewer)

K4M1N3

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Q. The Polynomial equation P(x) = 0 has a double root at x = a. By writing:

Where Q(x) is a polynomial

Show that P'(a) = 0

I was just wondering since P(x) has only a double root at x = a......Doesn't that mean that the polynomial Q(x) does NOT have a root at x = a?
i.e.
 
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khorne

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Q. The Polynomial equation P(x) = 0 has a double root at x = a. By writing:

Where Q(x) is a polynomial

Show that P'(a) = 0

I was just wondering since P(x) has only a double root at x = a......Doesn't that mean that the polynomial Q(x) does NOT have a root at x = a?
i.e.
Yes, Q(a) is not 0, and x=a is not a root. Instead, the question just says, differentiate it

such as: P'(x) = 2(x-a)Q'(x)

Thus, x=a is a root of P'(x) too.
 

cutemouse

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Yes, Q(a) is not 0, and x=a is not a root. Instead, the question just says, differentiate it

such as: P'(x) = 2(x-a)Q'(x)

Thus, x=a is a root of P'(x) too.
Product rule?
 

XTsquared

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Yes, Q(a) is not 0, and x=a is not a root. Instead, the question just says, differentiate it

such as: P'(x) = 2(x-a)Q'(x)

Thus, x=a is a root of P'(x) too.
P'(x) = 2(x-a)Q(x) + ((x-a)^2)Q'(x)
 

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