- Distinct Linear Factors:
The simplest case is where all the roots of Q(x) are real and all are different, so that Q(x) factors as a product of distinct linear factors. E.g., Q(x)=x(x−1)(x+2)(x+7).
- Repeated Linear Factors:
The next simplest case is where are the factors are linear, but some are repeated, such as in Q(x)=x(x−1)2(x+2)3.
- Non-repeated quadratic factors:
When Q(x) has complex roots, then we get irreducible quadratic factors. Case 3 is where these are all distinct such as in Q(x)=x(x−1)(x2+4).
- Repeated quadratic factors:
The hardest case is where there are repeated quadratic factors, such as in Q(x)=x(x−1)(x2+4)2.
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