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Polynomial Roots Calculator

Find the roots of polynomial equations quickly and accurately. Enter polynomial coefficients to solve linear, quadratic, cubic, or quartic equations.

Find Polynomial Roots

Polynomial Equation
ax⁴ + bx³ + cx² + dx + e = 0
Roots
Calculation Details

What Are Polynomial Roots?

A root of a polynomial is a value of x that makes the polynomial equal to zero. In other words, if f(x) is a polynomial, a root is a value that satisfies f(x) = 0.

Example:

For x² − 5x + 6 = 0, the roots are x = 2 and x = 3.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the coefficients of your polynomial equation. Coefficients that are not needed can be left as zero.

  • Enter the x⁴ coefficient.
  • Enter the x³ coefficient.
  • Enter the x² coefficient.
  • Enter the x coefficient.
  • Enter the constant.
  • Click Calculate Polynomial Roots.

Polynomial Equation Form

A polynomial can contain terms with different powers of x. This calculator accepts equations up to degree four.

General quartic form:

ax⁴ + bx³ + cx² + dx + e = 0

If the x⁴ coefficient is zero, the calculator automatically treats the equation as a cubic, quadratic, or linear equation depending on the highest non-zero coefficient.

Quadratic Polynomial Roots

A quadratic polynomial has the form ax² + bx + c = 0. Its roots can be real or complex, depending on the discriminant.

Example:

x² − 5x + 6 = 0
Roots: 2 and 3

Complex Polynomial Roots

Some polynomial equations do not have real roots. Their solutions can instead be complex numbers containing the imaginary unit i.

Example:

x² + 1 = 0
Roots: i and −i

Polynomial Degree and Number of Roots

The degree of a polynomial is determined by its highest power of x with a non-zero coefficient. A polynomial of degree n has exactly n roots in the complex numbers, counting repeated roots according to their multiplicity.

  • Degree 1: up to 1 root
  • Degree 2: up to 2 roots
  • Degree 3: up to 3 roots
  • Degree 4: up to 4 roots

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a root of a polynomial?
A polynomial root is a value of x that makes the polynomial equal to zero.
How do I find polynomial roots?
Enter the polynomial coefficients into the calculator. It identifies the polynomial degree and calculates its roots.
Can polynomial roots be negative?
Yes. Polynomial equations can have positive, negative, zero, or complex roots depending on the equation.
Can a polynomial have complex roots?
Yes. A polynomial may have complex roots when its equation does not have enough real solutions. Complex roots contain the imaginary unit i.
What is the degree of a polynomial?
The degree is the highest exponent of x that has a non-zero coefficient in the polynomial.
How many roots can a quartic polynomial have?
A fourth-degree polynomial can have four complex roots when repeated roots are counted according to their multiplicity.