Let's start with a simple polynomial equation. We can consider the polynomial \( P(x) = x^2 + 3x + 2 \).
To find the roots of the equation, we set it to zero:
\[ x^2 + 3x + 2 = 0 \]
We can factor this polynomial:
\[ (x + 1)(x + 2) = 0 \]
Setting each factor to zero gives us the roots:
- \( x + 1 = 0 \) → \( x = -1 \)
- \( x + 2 = 0 \) → \( x = -2 \)
Now that we have the roots \( x_1 = -1 \) and \( x_2 = -2 \), we can find the sum, the difference, and the product of these roots.
1. Sum of the roots:
\[ \text{Sum} = x_1 + x_2 = -1 + (-2) = -3 \]
2. Difference of the roots:
\[ \text{Difference} = x_1 - x_2 = -1 - (-2) = -1 + 2 = 1 \]
3. Product of the roots:
\[ \text{Product} = x_1 \times x_2 = (-1) \times (-2) = 2 \]
Summary:
- Sum of the roots: \(-3\)
- Difference of the roots: \(1\)
- Product of the roots: \(2\)