(Matrix) Zeros of Polynomials
Damjan Kobal
The concepts of polynomials and matrices are educationally very interesting because they essentially expand and enhance the elementary arithmetic of numbers. But as it is true for all mathematical concepts polynomials and matrices also open up new interesting mathematical challenges which extend to new fields of mathematical explorations within university mathematics. We present an aspect of a rather elementary exploration of polynomials and matrices, which offers a new perspective and an interesting matrix analog to the concept of a zero of a polynomial. The discussion offers an opportunity for better comprehension of the fundamental concepts of polynomials and matrices. As an application we are lead to the meaningful questions of linear algebra and to an easy proof of otherwise advanced and abstract Cayley – Hamilton theorem.
