Unit 2 Lesson 1

MHF4U
Exploring Polynomial Functions 3.1

Learning goal: To be able to identify polynomial functions.

Polynomials (polynomial expressions)

A polynomial is a mathematical expression constructed by the sum and/or difference of

algebraic terms. Each term consists of variable factors raised to non-negative integer
exponents and multiplied by real numerical coefficients.

Example1: Determine whether of not each expression is a polynomial. Use reasoning to

support your answer.

−2 3 2 𝑥 4
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧 − √5𝑥 2 𝑦 + + 3 2𝑥𝑦 −1 + + √𝑥
3 2 𝑦2

Degree of a Polynomial

The degree of a term of a polynomial is determined by the number of variable factors in

the term, and can be calculated by adding the variable exponents in the term.
−2 𝑥
For example: 𝑥 3 𝑦 2 𝑧 − √5𝑥 2 𝑦 + +3
3 2

Constant – a term of degree 0.

Standard Form: A polynomial is usually written with the powers arranged from highest to
lowest.

Place each polynomial in standard form and state the degree of the polynomial

1
 Unit 2 Lesson 1
MHF4U
a) 5𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 4 + 3 − 𝑥 + b) 1 − 2𝑥

A polynomial function is a function whose equation is defined by a polynomial expression in

one variable

Function Degree Classification

𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 − 3

𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1

𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 3 + 5𝑥

𝑓(𝑥) = 7𝑥 4

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + ⋯ + 𝑎2 𝑥 2

+ 𝑎1 𝑥1

The coefficient of the term with the highest degree is called the
_____________________________

Nth differences

We know the first differences in a linear functions are _______________.

The second differences in a quadratic function are__________________.

2
 Unit 2 Lesson 1
MHF4U
Find the 4th differences in the quartic function 𝑦 = 𝑥 4

X 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

differences differences differences differences
-3
-2
1
0
1
2
3

We may conclude that in a polynomial of degree n, the nth finite differences are constant.

Graphs of polynomial functions are continuous functions, they do NOT have horizontal or
vertical asymptotes.

Sketch a typical function for each: