If a zero is [___], then the graph of its function only touches the x–axis at that zero.

A zero with even multiplicity makes the function’s graph touch the x-axis and turn back rather than cross through it. For example, near a zero of multiplicity 2, the graph behaves like y = x², which stays on the same side of the x-axis on both sides of the zero. So the correct choice is “of even multiplicity.”

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.