Homework 4.

1A: p 162# 2, 3-15 odd

Chapter 4.1 (Day 1) NAME:__________________________________________
You Try
Alg 2: Graphing Polynomials Functions PER:_________ DATE:___________________________
Decide whether each function is a polynomial function. If so, write it in standard form and
state its degree, type, and leading coefficient.
Polynomial Functions
1) f (x) = 7 − 1.6x2 − 5x 2) p(x) = x + 2x−2 + 9.5 3) q (x) = x3 − 6x + 3x4
Recall that a monomial is a number , a variable , Polynomial? Yes/No Polynomial? Yes/No Polynomial? Yes/No
or the product of a number and one or more variables with whole number Standard Form: Standard Form: Standard Form:
exponents. Example: − 5 or 3x5 or 12 x2 or 2.5xy 3

A polynomial is a monomial or a sum of monomials.

A polynomial function is a function of the form Degree ________ Degree ________ Degree ________
Leading Coefficient:________ Leading Coefficient:________ Leading Coefficient:________
an xn + an−1 xn−1 +··+ a1 x + a0 · where a =/ 0

The exponents are all whole numbers and the coefficients Example 2: Evaluating Polynomial Functions
are all real numbers . Evaluate the function for the given value of x
For this function, an is the leading coefficient , n is the degree ,
and a0 is the constant term . Ex 2) f (x) = 2x4 − 8x2 + 5x − 7 ; x = 3
A polynomial function is in standard form when its terms are written in descending
order of exponents from left to right.

Common Polynomial Functions

Degree Type Standard Form Example

0 Constant f (x) = a0 f (x) = − 14

1 Linear f (x) = a1 x + a0 f (x) = 5x − 7

2 Quadratic f (x) = a2 x2 + a1 x + a0 f (x) = 2x2 + x − 9 You Try

3 Cubic f (x) = a3 x3 + a2 x2 + a1 x + a0 f (x) = x3 − x2 + 3x 4) f (x) =− x3 + 3x2 + 9; x = 4

4 Quartic f (x) = a4 x4 + a3 x3 + a2 x2 + a1 x + a0 f (x) = x4 + 2x − 1

Example 1: Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether each function is a polynomial function. If so, write it in standard form and
state its degree, type, and leading coefficient.

a. f (x) = −2x3 + 5x + 8 b. g (x) = −0.8x3 + √2 x4 − 12

Polynomial? Yes/No Yes Polynomial? Yes/No YES 5) f (x) = 3x5 − x4 − 6x + 10; x = − 2
Standard Form: Standard Form: √2x4 −0.8x3 − 12
Degree 3 Degree 4, Leading Coefficient √2
Degree ________, Leading Coefficient:________ Degree ________, Leading Coefficient:________

c. h(x) = −x2 + 7x−1 + 4x d. k(x) = x2 + 3x

Polynomial? Yes/No NO Polynomial? Yes/No NO
Standard Form: Standard Form: 3x does not have a variable
7x−1 not a whole number exponent base or whole number exponent
Degree ________, Leading Coefficient:________ Degree ________, Leading Coefficient:________
Algebra 2