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17.4: Reading Questions

  • Page ID
    81174
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    1

    Suppose \(p(x)\) is a polynomial of degree \(n\) with coefficients from any field. How many roots can \(p(x)\) have? How does this generalize your high school algebra experience?

    2

    What is the definition of an irreducible polynomial?

    3

    Find the remainder upon division of \(8 \, x^{5} - 18 \, x^{4} + 20 \, x^{3} - 25 \, x^{2} + 20\) by \(4 \, x^{2} - x - 2\text{.}\)

    4

    A single theorem in this chapter connects many of the ideas of this chapter to many of the ideas of the previous chapter. State a paraphrased version of this theorem.

    5

    Early in this chapter, we say, “We can prove many results for polynomial rings that are similar to the theorems we proved for the integers.” Write a short essay (or a very long paragraph) justifying this assertion.


    This page titled 17.4: Reading Questions is shared under a GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Thomas W. Judson (Abstract Algebra: Theory and Applications) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.

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