Topic 10.5: Polynomials (Matlab)

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The function roots finds the roots of a polynomial:

>> p = [1 2 3];
>> roots( p )
ans =
  -1.00000 + 1.41421i
  -1.00000 - 1.41421i

>> p = [1 2 3 4 5 6];
>> roots( p )        
ans =
   0.55169 + 1.25335i
   0.55169 - 1.25335i
  -0.80579 + 1.22290i
  -0.80579 - 1.22290i
  -1.49180 + 0.00000i

Note that the second polynomial, of odd degree, has one real root.