poly polynomial definition p = poly(a, vname, ["flag"]) a a matrix or real number vname a string, the symbolic variable name. The string must be 4 characters max. "flag" string ("roots", "coeff"), default value is "roots". Shortcuts can be also used: "r" for "roots" and "c" for "coeff". If a is a matrix, p is the characteristic polynomial i.e. determinant(x*eye()-a), x being the symbolic variable. If v is a vector, poly(v,"x",["roots"]) is the polynomial with roots the entries of v and "x" as formal variable. (In this case, roots and poly are inverse functions). Note that Infinite roots gives zero highest degree coefficients. poly(v,"x","coeff") creates the polynomial with symbol "x" and with coefficients the entries of v (v(1) is the constant term of the polynomial). (Here poly and coeff are inverse functions). s=poly(0,"s") is the seed for defining polynomials with symbol "s". coeff roots varn horner derivat matrices rational 5.5.0 The only values allowed for the third argument are "roots", "coeff", "c" and "r".