roots of polynomials

Question

Caon someone help me understand how to calculate the roots of polynomials?

Here is the question.

Let α, β, γ, and δ be roots of the polynomial equation:

x^4 + 5x^3 + 3x^2 – x + 2 = 0

Calculate the exact values of:

α^2 + β^2 + γ^2 + δ^2;

α^-1 + β^-1 + γ-1 + δ^-1;

α^3 + β^3 + γ^3 + δ^3.

Answer 1

What's that little "q" thingy?