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What type of polynomial equation has at least one set of equal real roots?

  1. Linear

  2. Quadratic

  3. Cubic

  4. Quartic

The correct answer is: Quadratic

A linear polynomial equation has a degree of 1 and can only have one real root. A cubic equation has a degree of 3 and can have either one or three real roots, but not necessarily equal. A quartic equation has a degree of 4 and can have either two or four real roots, but again not necessarily equal. A quadratic equation has a degree of 2 and can have two real roots, but if the discriminant is zero, the roots are equal. Therefore, the only type of polynomial equation that guarantees at least one set of equal real roots is a quadratic equation.