Question

Which statement best describes the roots of the polynomial function
(Function in picture)

Answer 1

Root at -4 with multiplicity of 2

Root at 2 with multiplicity of 1

Explanation:

Answer 2

Root at -4 with multiplicity of 2

Root at 2 with multiplicity of 1

Explanation:

You don't actually need to factor this, you can just use Vieta's formulas and deduce the answer by looking at the options.

It states that the product of the roots is equal to the constant over the coefficient of the highest degree term; in this case, it is 16/1=16.

If you take the product of the roots of each answer, you get (from top to bottom) 16, 4, -16, and -4, which means that only the first answer is correct.