If I told you a certain polynomial P(x) had a double root (only one!), how could you go about finding it, WITHOUT trying to find every root? Also, the EXACT value of the root is sought; not an approximation.

NB. Roots may be any kind --real or complex-- but they are all different, with multiplicity "1", except for one that has multiplicity "2".

(In reply to Complex not possible by Jer)

That is not correct, Jer, at least if complex coefficients are allowed for the polynomial.  Just write the polynomial in factored form: P(x)=(x-a)(x-b)...(x-h) where a,b,...,h are arbitrary complex numbers.

Posted by Richard on 2006-05-09 14:16:26