U2-S2-L5 Polynomial Functions

Essential Question: What are the parts of a polynomial

function? What are zeros and how do you find them?
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When looking a polynomial graphs, we want to find points which are the highest or lowest point of a curve
before it changes direction.
Extrema: largest and smallest values of a function (minimums and maximums collectively)
Minima: (plural for minimum) points where the curve is at a low point
Maxima: (plural for maximum) points where the curve is at a high point
X-intercepts: Points at which the function touches the x-axis (A.K.A. zeros, roots, solutions, answers)


What does this factor theorem mean?
It means that if 7 is an x-intercept, or zero, of the function, then (x 7) is a factor of the
polynomial.

Whether you graph by hand or electronically, solving a polynomial by graphing means to locate the zeros of the
function. These are the solutions you found when factoring or using synthetic division with a zero remainder.








Next, we are going to use the Rational Root Theorem, as well as synthetic division, to find the zeros of a polynomial
equation.


What does the Rational Root Theorem mean?
This means the rational roots of a polynomial come in the form p/q where p is a factor of the constant, and q is a factor
of the leading coefficient.
Example: 2x
3
+ 3x
2
+ 4x 6 = 0
Factors of p (constant term): 1, 2, 3, 6 (remember a factor is something that can divide a number)
Factors of q (leading coefficient): 1, 2
Therefore, the possible rational roots for this polynomial must be p/q.
(Remember possibilities are not always a correct answer, but one to choose from)
Possible Rational Roots: 1, 2, 3, 6, ,
3
/
2




Summary of Steps
1) List all the possible roots by using p/q
2) Test possible roots by using the Remainder Theorem and/or synthetic division
3) After finding a root, continue using possible roots or factoring methods to find the other roots until the polynomial is
a list of linear factors.
4) You are done when you found the total amount of possible roots based on the degree of the polynomial.