It is known that, in the universe of complex numbers, the only root of the equation $x^2 - 2x + 1 = 0$ is $1$. Could we say that the equation has two equal real roots? Or should we say that the equation has one real root with multiplicity 2?
A root? Or two roots?
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algebra-precalculus
polynomials
terminology
roots
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14I was under the impression that those are just two ways of saying the same thing. – 2010-11-15
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0There's a reason why the statement of the Fundamental theorem of Algebra has the phrase "counting multiplicity" or something equivalent in its statement. One also hears the word "coalesce" in some contexts. – 2010-11-15