Which of these number (s) below are potential roots of the function p (x) = x^4+22x^2-16x-12

There's no list so we'll generate our own. Technically we're after zeros of p (x), which are the roots of p (x) = 0.

The rational zeros are always fractions with a factor of the constant in the numerator and of the leading term in the denominator. Here we have a monic polynomial, leading coefficient 1, so the rational roots are all integers, factors of - 12.

The potential rational zeros are: - 12, - 6, - 3, - 2, - 1, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12

6, 1,3