Select the correct answer.
According to the fundamental theorem of algebra, how many solutions does this polynomial have?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

This polynomial can be expressed as , which is a quadratic equation. According to the fundamental theorem of algebra, a polynomial of degree has exactly roots, counted with their multiplicities. Since this is a quadratic (degree 2), it has 2 solutions.

Interestingly, these solutions can either be real or complex, depending on the discriminant. For this polynomial, you can find the solutions by factoring or using the quadratic formula!

For practical applications, understanding the number of solutions helps in fields like engineering and economics, where polynomial models can predict trends or behaviors. Whether optimizing product designs or analyzing financial forecasts, knowing how many solutions to expect can significantly aid in decision-making strategies!