Characteristic root of a constant-coefficient differential equation

For the homogeneous linear differential equation $P({\partial }_x)u=0$, a characteristic root is a root of a polynomial $P(r)=0$. A simple root supplies an exponential solution $e^{rx}$; a root of multiplicity $m$ supplies $x^j{e}^{rx}$ for $0\le j<m$. The sign of the real part of $r$ determines spatial growth or decay.