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f ( x ) = an x + an −1 x
n n −1
+ + a1 x + ao
g ( x) = 2 x 0 A polynomial of degree 0.
h( x ) = 2 x + 1
square root since the power is NOT
an integer 1
x = x2
3
F ( x) = + x 2 Not a polynomial because of the x in
the denominator since the power is
x NOT nonnegative 1 −1
=x
x
Graphs of polynomials are smooth and continuous.
No sharp corners or cusps No gaps or holes, can be drawn
without lifting pencil from paper
and grows
f ( x) = x 2
steeper on either
side
f ( x) = x3
The higher the
power, the flatter
and steeper
Let’s graph f ( x) = − x + 2
4
Moves up 2
left hand
right hand
behavior: falls
behavior: falls
Odd degree polynomials fall on the left and rise on
the right hand sides of the graph (like x3) if the
coefficient is positive.
left hand
behavior: falls
Odd degree polynomials rise on the left and fall on
the right hand sides of the graph (like x3) if the
coefficient is negative.
left hand
behavior: rises
right hand
behavior: falls
A polynomial of degree n can have at most n-1 turns
(so whatever the degree is, subtract 1 to get the most
times the graph could turn).
Let’s determine left and right hand behavior for the graph
of the function: doesn’t mean it does turn that
( )
f x = x − 3x −most
4 2
+ 19
3 many times
15 xit can +
but that’s the
x
turn
30
degree is 4 which is even and the coefficient is positive so the
graph will look like x2 looks off to the left and off to the right.
f ( 0 ) = 0 − 3( 0 ) − 15( 0 ) + 19( 0 ) + 30 = 30
4 3 2
g ( x) = ( x − 1) ( x + 2 ) ( x − 3)
Can you find the zeros 3 2
of the polynomial?
( ) ( )( )
2 What would the left and
f x = − x −1 x + 2 right hand behavior be?
You don’t need to multiply this out but figure out what the
highest power on an x would be if multiplied out. In this
case it would be an x3. Notice the negative out in front.
What would the y 1 of mult. 1
intercept be? (0, 4) (so crosses axis
at 1)
Find the zeros and -2 of mult. 2
their multiplicity (so touches at 2)
Steps for Graphing a Polynomial
•Determine left and right hand behavior by looking at
the highest power on x and the sign of that term.
•Determine maximum number of turns in graph by
subtracting 1 from the degree.
•Find and plot y intercept by putting 0 in for x
•Find the zeros (x intercepts) by setting polynomial = 0 and
solving.
•Determine multiplicity of zeros.
••Determine
••Find and plot
Determine left
y and right
intercept
maximum byhand behavior
putting
number of 0 in
turns forby
in x looking
graph by atand
Find
Join the
the points
zeros (x
together
intercepts)
in a smooth
by settingcurve
polynomial
touching
•Determine multiplicity of zeros. 0 multiplicity 2 (touches) = or
0
the highest
zerospower on xdegree.
and the sign ofand thatusing
term.left and
f ( 0 ) = 0 ( ( 0 − )(3)( 0 +) 4 ) = 0
subtracting
solving.
crossing 1depending
2from the on multiplicity
0 =
right Multiplying
hand
x
behavior
2
x −
as
out,
3a
x +
guide.
highest
4 3 multiplicity 1 (crosses)
power
Zeros are: 0,
would be x4 3, -4
Degree is 4 so maximum number -4 multiplicity
of turns1is(crosses)
3
Here is the actual graph. We did pretty good. If we’d wanted to be
more accurate on how low to go before turning we could have
plugged in an x value somewhere between the zeros and found the y
value. We are not going to be picky about this though since there is a
great method in calculus for finding these maxima and minima.
What is we thought backwards? Given the
zeros and the degree can you come up with a
polynomial? Find a polynomial of degree 3 that
has zeros –1, 2 and 3.
f ( x ) = ( x + 1)( x − 2 )( x − 3)
Multiply this out to get the polynomial. FOIL two of them
and then multiply by the third one.
f ( x) = x − 4x + x + 6
3 2