Question

How do you write a polynomial function of least degree and leading coefficient 1 when the zeros are 1, -4, 5?

Answer 1

`(x-1)(x+4)(x-5)`

Explanation:

Since the zeros are at 1, -4 and 5, it follows that `x-1`, `x+4` and `x-5`. Since we are looking for the least degree polynomial, it must be `c(x-1)(x+4)(x-5)`. The constant `c` is fixed at 1 by the demand that the leading coefficient is 1.