Answer:The most general form of a polynomial function of degree n that has real coefficients is:
f(x) = a_nx^n + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + ... + a_2x^2 + a_1x + a_0
where a_n, a_{n-1}, ..., a_1, a_0 are real numbers, and a_n is not equal to zero.
The number of distinct roots of a polynomial function of degree n can be determined using the fundamental theorem of algebra, which states that a polynomial function of degree n has exactly n roots, counting multiplicities. This means that a polynomial function of degree n can have n distinct roots, n-1 distinct roots, or any integer value in between, depending on the multiplicities of the roots.
Using the factor theorem, it is possible to determine the number of distinct roots of a polynomial function by factoring it into its irreducible factors. If the polynomial function is fully factored, the number of distinct roots is equal to the number of irreducible factors.
However, the nature of the roots (real or complex) and constraints imposed by the discriminant are also important to consider. The discriminant of a polynomial function is the value of the expression b^2-4ac, where a, b, and c are the coefficients of the polynomial function in the form f(x) = ax^2+bx+c. The discriminant determines the nature of the roots of the polynomial function. If the discriminant is positive, the roots are real and distinct. If the discriminant is zero, the roots are real and repeated. If the discriminant is negative, the roots are complex and non-real.
So, the most general form of a polynomial function of degree n that has real coefficients, can be determined by the form of the polynomial, the number of distinct roots by the fundamental theorem of algebra, by factoring the polynomial into its irreducible factors and the nature of the roots is determined by the discriminant.
Explanation: