Question

Please help! I don't know how to do this.

Write a polynomial of least degree with roots 1 and 2.

Answer 1

f(x) = x^2 - 3x + 1.

Explanation:

If the roots of this polynomial are 1 and 2, the corresponding factors are (x - 1) and (x - 2). Multiplying, we get

f(x) = (x - 1)(x - 2) = x^2 - 3x + 1

The polynomial of least degree with roots 1 and 2 is f(x) = x^2 - 3x + 1.