7.

1 Polynomial Functions
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

A POLYNOMIAL is a monomial
or a sum of monomials.

A POLYNOMIAL IN ONE
VARIABLE is a polynomial that
contains only one variable.
Example: 5x2 + 3x - 7
A polynomial function is a function of the form

f (x) = ann x nn + an – 1 x nn––1 1+· · ·+ a 1 x + a 0 a 0

Where ann ≠ 00 and the exponents are all whole numbers.

For this polynomial function, aann is the leading coefficient,

leading coefficient

aa00 is the constant

constant term n
term, and n is the
degree
degree.

A polynomial function is in standard form if its terms are

descending order
written in descending order of
of exponents
exponents from
from left
left to
to right.
right.
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
The DEGREE of a polynomial in one variable is
the greatest exponent of its variable.

A LEADING COEFFICIENT is the coefficient

of the term with the highest degree.

What is the degree and leading

coefficient of 3x5 – 3x + 2 ?
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
A polynomial equation used to represent a
function is called a POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION.
Polynomial functions with a degree of 1 are called
LINEAR POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

Polynomial functions with a degree of 2 are called

QUADRATIC POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
Polynomial functions with a degree of 3 are called
CUBIC POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
You are already familiar with some types of polynomial
functions. Here is a summary of common types of
polynomial functions.

Degree Type Standard Form

0 Constant f (x) = a 0

1 Linear f (x) = a1x + a 0

2 Quadratic f (x) = a 2 x 2 + a 1 x + a 0

3 Cubic f (x) = a 3 x 3 + a 2 x 2 + a 1 x + a 0

4 Quartic f (x) = a4 x 4 + a 3 x 3 + a 2 x 2 + a 1 x + a 0
 Polynomial Functions
Polynomial Degree Name of
Function in General Function
Form
y = ax + b 1 Linear
y = ax 2 + bx + c 2 Quadratic
y = ax 3 + bx 2 + cx + d 3 Cubic
y = ax 4 + bx 3 + cx 2 + dx + e 4 Quartic

The largest exponent within the polynomial

determines the degree of the polynomial.
Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

1 2
f (x) = x – 3x4 – 7
2

S OLUTION

The function is a polynomial function.

1 2
Its standard form is f (x) = – 3x 4 + x – 7.
2
It has degree 4, so it is a quartic function.

The leading coefficient is – 3.

Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

f (x) = x 3 + 3 x

S OLUTION

The function is not a polynomial function because the

x
term 3 does not have a variable base and an exponent
that is a whole number.
Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

–
f (x) = 6x 2 + 2 x 1 + x

S OLUTION

The function is not a polynomial function because the term

2x –1 has an exponent that is not a whole number.
Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

f (x) = – 0.5 x + π x 2 – 2

S OLUTION

The function is a polynomial function.

Its standard form is f (x) = π x2 – 0.5x – 2.

It has degree 2, so it is a quadratic function.

The leading coefficient is π.

Identifying Polynomial Functions

Polynomial function?

f (x) = 12 x 2 – 3 x 4 – 7

f (x) = x 3 + 3x

f (x) = 6x2 + 2 x– 1 + x

f (x) = – 0.5x + π x2 – 2
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
EVALUATING A POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION

Find f(-2) if f(x) = 3x2 – 2x – 6

f(-2) = 3(-2)2 – 2(-2) – 6

f(-2) = 12 + 4 – 6
f(-2) = 10
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
EVALUATING A POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION

Find f(2a) if f(x) = 3x2 – 2x – 6

f(2a) = 3(2a)2 – 2(2a) – 6

f(2a) = 12a2 – 4a – 6
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
EVALUATING A POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION

Find f(m + 2) if f(x) = 3x2 – 2x – 6

f(m + 2) = 3(m + 2)2 – 2(m + 2) – 6

f(m + 2) = 3(m2 + 4m + 4) – 2(m + 2) – 6

f(m + 2) = 3m2 + 12m + 12 – 2m – 4 – 6
f(m + 2) = 3m2 + 10m + 2
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
EVALUATING A POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION

Find 2g(-2a) if g(x) = 3x2 – 2x – 6

2g(-2a) = 2[3(-2a)2 – 2(-2a) – 6]

2g(-2a) = 2[12a2 + 4a – 6]
2g(-2a) = 24a2 + 8a – 12
Examples of Polynomial Functions
Examples of Nonpolynomial Functions