[Math] Clarification on “Every polynomial function of degree $\ge1$ has at least $1$ zero in the complex number system.”

complex numberspolynomials

The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra says "Every polynomial function of degree $\ge1$ has at least $1$ zero in the complex number system."

My question is, where do the rest of the zeroes of the polynomial lie? Can it happen that they do not belong to the complex number system? Would we then have to pass to a number system beyond the complex numbers?

Best Answer

The theorem may as well state that every polynomial equation of degree $n$ has exactly $n$ roots (counted with their multiplicity). The statements are equivalent, for, if your polynomial $p(z)$ of degree $n$ has one root $\lambda$, then you can factor it as

$$ p(z) = (z-\lambda)q(z), $$ where the degree of $q$ is $n-1$ Then you can recursively apply the result to $q$, until you reach a polynomial of degree 1.