# why there are not polynomials $p,q$ such that $\sqrt{x^2-4}=\frac{p(x)}{q(x)}$

show that

there are not polynomials $p,q$ such that $$\sqrt{x^2-4}=\dfrac{p(x)}{q(x)}$$

there a book say it is clear,because if such polynomials existed,then each zero of$x^2-4$ should have even multiplicity? I can't understand this ,can you explain detail?

If $\sqrt{x^2-4}=\frac{p(x)}{q(x)}$, squaring we get $x^2-4=\frac{p^2(x)}{q^2(x)}$. Now decomposing LHS you have $x^2-4=(x+2)(x-2)$ i.e. all and only roots are $\pm2$, so they are simple roots (is this clear?). Then $p^2(x)$ is again a polynomial, which must vanish at $\pm2$, but in this case the roots has order $\ge2$ and this is impossible.
• I can't understand last ,why in this case the roots has order $\ge 2$, this order is meaning? – user223800 Apr 4 '15 at 9:38
• @Australia if $p(x)/q(x)$ is to have the same roots as you function, then all roots in $\frac{p(x)^2}{q(x)^2}$ must have the same multiplicity as $x^2-4$. That polynomial has two roots with multiplicity $1$, however a polynomial of the form $p(x)^2$ has even multiplicity on all roots, and so does $q(x)^2$, since the multiplicity of common roots is subtracted when polynomials are divided you are left with $\text{even} - \text{even} = 1$ – Alice Ryhl Apr 4 '15 at 9:43