Question

use the function to answer the question. f(x)= x^3 + 5x^2 + 7x + 3 = (x+1)(x+1)(x+3) what is the multiplicity of the root -1? I keep seeing answers for the multiplicity of 1, but not for -1. Thanks!

Answer 1

Since $f(x)=(x+1)^2(x+3)$ it follows that $x=-1$ is a root of multiplicity 2.