TITLE: Root or zero...which to use when?
QUESTION [14 upvotes]: This may seem like a very basic question, but:
What exactly is the difference between a root of a polynomial, and a zero?  Of course I realise that they are technically exactly the same thing, but there seem to be subtle rules as to when to use each term, and a couple of times in the past I have been told I am using "root" where I should be using "zero".
Is it generally accepted that one should use "root" in an algebraic context,  and "zero" in a analytic context? If not, when should one use one or the other...and does it really matter?!

REPLY [7 votes]: In general we will find zero of a function root of an equation