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Difference between revisions of "Conjugate Root Theorem"

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Revision as of 11:19, 30 May 2019

Theorem

The Conjugate Root Theorem states that if $P(x)$ is a polynomial with real coefficients, and $a+bi$ is a root of the equation $P(x) = 0$, where $i = \sqrt{-1}$, then $a-bi$ is also a root. A similar theorem states that if $P(x)$ is a polynomial with rational coefficients and $a+b\sqrt{c}$ is a root of the polynomial, then $a-b\sqrt{c}$ is also a root.

Uses

This has many uses. If you get a fourth degree polynomial, and you are given that a number in the form of $a+bi$ is a root, then you know that $a-bi$ in the root. Using the Factor Theorem, you know that $(x-(a+bi))(x-(a-bi))$ is also a root. Thus, you can multiply that out, and divide it by the original polynomial, to get a depressed quadratic equation. Of course, it doesn't have to be a fourth degree polynomial. It could just simplify it a bit.

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