The roots of a polynomial are the values of the variable that make the polynomial equal to zero. For example, in the polynomial f(x) = x² - 4, the roots are the solutions to the equation x² - 4 = 0, which are x = 2 and x = -2. These values are also known as the "zeros" of the polynomial. Finding the roots is essential in various fields, including mathematics, engineering, and physics, as they help in understanding the behavior of functions. The roots can be real or complex numbers, depending on the polynomial's degree and coefficients.