Polynomial Functions

and their Graphs

Objectives:
 Describe the graph of polynomial function
with the degree greater than 2.
 Recall factoring of polynomial equations..
 Recall determining the roots of polynomial
equations.
 Identify the x-intercept and y-intercept.
 Find the x-intercept and y-intercept.
Review
 General polynomial formula
n1
P( x)  an x  an1x
n
 ...  a1x  a0
 a0, a1, … ,an are constant coefficients
 n is the degree of the polynomial
 Standard form is for descending powers of x
 anxn is said to be the “leading term”
Polynomial Functions
f(x) = 3

ConstantFunction
Degree = 0
Maximum
Number of
Zeros: 0
 Polynomial Functions

f(x) = x + 2
LinearFunction
Degree = 1
Maximum
Number of
Zeros: 1
 Polynomial Functions

f(x) = x2 + 3x + 2
QuadraticFunction
Degree = 2
Maximum
Number of
Zeros: 2
General Shape of Polynomial Graphs

 The graph of polynomials are smooth,

unbroken lines or curves, with no sharp
corners or cusps.
 Every Polynomial function is defined and
continuous for all real numbers.
 Graphs of polynomials are smooth and continuous.
No sharp corners or cusps No gaps or holes, can be drawn
without lifting pencil from paper

This IS the graph This IS NOT the graph

of a polynomial of a polynomial
 Polynomial Functions

f(x) = x3 + 4x2 + 2

Cubic Function
Degree = 3

Maximum
Number of
Zeros: 3
 Polynomial Functions

Quartic Function
Degree = 4
Maximum
Number of
Zeros: 4
Family of Polynomials
 Constant polynomial functions
 f(x) = a

 Linear polynomial functions

 f(x) = mx + b

 Quadratic polynomial functions

 f(x) = ax2 + bx + c
Family of Polynomials
 Cubic polynomial functions
 f(x) = a x3 + b x2 + c x + d
 3rd degree polynomial

 Quartic polynomial functions

 f(x) = a x4 + b x3 + c x2+ d x + e
 4th degree polynomial
CHARACTERISTICS
 x and y intercept
 End behavior
 Turning points
 Multiplicity of roots
X and Y-intercepts
x-intercepts
- are the values of x when y = 0
- The value of x is also the roots of
the polynomial function
y-intercepts
- Is the value of y when x = 0
REMEMBER:
At the x-intercepts, the graph crosses
the x-axis or is tangent to it. Furthermore, it
suggests that the graph is either above or
below the x-axis between the two
consecutive x intercepts.
MATHEMATICAL CONCEPT
 To find the x-intercepts of the given
polynomial is like finding the roots.
 It is easier to find the x-intercepts if the
polynomial function is in factored form.
Then set y = 0 or f(x) = 0.
 In determining the factors of the given
polynomial function, factor theorem and
synthetic division are used.
 EXAMPLE 1:
Find the x and y intercept of f(x) =(x +3) (x –2) (x– 5)
Solution:
f(x) = (x +3) (x – 2) (x – 5) Equate f(x) to 0
0 = (x +3) (x – 2) (x – 5) Equate each factor to 0
(x +3) = 0 (x – 2) = 0 (x – 5) = 0
x = -3; x = 2; (x = 5)

Therefore the intercepts are -3, 2, 5. This means that

the graph crosses the x-axis at (-3,0), (2,0), and (5,0).
To find the y-intercept, solve for f(0)
Solution:
f(x) = (x +3) (x – 2) (x – 5) Substitute 0 to x
f(0) = (0 +3) (0 – 2) (0 – 5) Simplify
f(0) = ( 3)(– 2) (- 5)
f(0) = 30
Therefore the y-intercept is 30. This means that the
graph crosses the y axis at (0, 30).
 EXAMPLE 1:

Solution:

y = (x +1) (x – 2) (x – 3) Factor completely.

0 = (x +1) (x – 2) (x – 3) Equate y to 0
(x +1) = 0 (x – 2) = 0 (x – 5) = 0 Equate each
x = -1; x = 2; (x = 5) factor to 0

Therefore the intercepts are -1, 2, 3. This means that

the graph crosses the x-axis at (-1,0), (2,0), and (3,0).
To find the y-intercept, solve for f(0)
Solution:
Substitute 0 to x
Simplify
f(0) = (0) - (0) + 0 + 6
f(0) = 6
Therefore the y-intercept is 6. This means that the
graph crosses the y axis at (0, 6).
Find the x and y- intercept