Polynomial Functions

A polynomial function has all of its variables with

exponents which are positive integers. It is not a
polynomial function if a variable has a negative
exponent or if the exponent is a fraction.
Remember integers are … –2, -1, 0, 1, 2 … (no decimals
or fractions) so positive integers would be 0, 1, 2 …

A polynomial function is a function of the form:

n must be a positive integer

f  x   an x  an 1 x
n n 1
   a1 x  ao

All of these coefficients are real numbers

The degree of one variable polynomial is the largest

power on any x term in the polynomial.
A polynomial function is a function of the form
f ( x)  an x n  an1 x n1   a1 x  a0
where n is a nonnegative integer and each ai (i = 0, , n)
is a real number. The polynomial function has a leading
coefficient an and degree n.
Examples: Find the leading coefficient and degree of each
polynomial function.

Polynomial Function Leading Coefficient Degree

f ( x)  2 x5  3x3  5 x  1 -2 5
f ( x)  x3  6 x 2  x  7 1 3
f ( x)  14 14 0
The Degree of a Function
What is the degree of the following functions?
Which of the following are polynomial functions?

no

no

yes

yes
 The Leading Coefficient

The polynomial function has a leading coefficient.

Once the function is written in descending order of
degree, the leading coefficient is the coefficient of the
term with the highest degree.
Find the leading coefficient and degree of each polynomial
function.

Polynomial Function Leading Coefficient Degree

f (x)  2 x5  3x3  5x  1

f (x)  x3  6 x2  x  7
 Basic Features of Graphs of
Polynomial Functions.
• A graph of a polynomial function is
continuous. This means that the graph of a
polynomial function has no breaks, holes or
gaps.
NOT GRAPHS OF A POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION
 Types of Polynomial function
Linear equations

General form: 𝑦 = 𝑚x + c

Example y= 2x + 1
y=2(-2)+1= -3 for x=-2
y=2(-1)+1= -1 for x=-1
y=2(0)+1= 1 for x=0
y=2(1)+1= 3 for x=1
y=2(2)+1= 5 for x=2

Now based on these coordinates we

can plot the graph as shown below.
Quadratic equations

General form Y= ax2+ 𝑏x + 𝑐 a≠0

Examples: Y = 5X2 + 2X + 3
Y = X2 +2
Y = X2

If leading Coefficient is Positive

If leading Coefficient is Negative

Quadratic equation in Chemistry
Cubic Function

General form Y= ax3+ 𝑏x2 + 𝑐x + d a≠0

X Y
Examples: Y = X3 0 0
1 1
2 8
3 27
-1 -1
-2 -8
-3 -27
 END BEHAVIOR OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

The behavior of the graph of a function to the far left and far right
is called its end behavior.

Although the graph of a polynomial function may have intervals

where it increases or decreases, the graph will eventually rise or
fall without bound as it moves far to the left or far to the right.

How can we determine the end behavior of a polynomial

function? We look only at the term with the highest degree.
 The Leading Coefficient Test
Look for the term with the highest degree.

Is the coefficient greater than or less than 0?

Is the exponent even or odd?

The answers to these questions will help us to determine

the end behavior of the polynomial function.
If the leading coefficient is positive with an even
degree to its variable, the graph rises to the left and
rises to the right (, ).

Example: f(x) = x²
If the leading coefficient is negative with an even
degree to its variable, the graph falls to the left and
falls to the right (, ).

Example: f(x) = − x²
If the leading coefficient is positive with an odd
degree to its variable, the graph falls to the left and
rises to the right (, ).

Example: f(x) = x³
If the leading coefficient is negative with an odd
degree to its variable, the graph rises to the left and
falls to the right (, ).

Example: f(x) = − x³
Leading Coefficient Test
Using the Leading Coefficient Test

If the leading coefficient is positive with an

even degree to its variable, the graph rises to
the left and rises to the right (, ).
 Using the Leading Coefficient Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph of…

f(x) = x³ + 3x − x − 3

If the leading coefficient is positive with an

odd degree to its variable, the graph falls to
the left and rises to the right (, ).
 Using the Leading Coefficient Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph of…

f(x) = − 2x³ + 3x − x − 3

If the leading coefficient is negative with an odd

degree to its variable, the graph rises to the left
and falls to the right (, ).
 Using the Leading Coefficient Test

If the leading coefficient is negative with an

even degree to its variable, the graph falls to the
left and falls to the right (, ).
 Using the Leading Coefficient Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph of…

f(x) = 3x³(x − 1)(x + 5)

Because these terms and expressions are each

multiplied by each other, we add their degrees.

3+1+1=5

If the leading coefficient is positive with an odd

degree to its variable, the graph falls to the left and
rises to the right (, ).
 Using the Leading Coefficient Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph of…

f(x) = − 4x³(x − 1)²(x + 5)

Add the degrees

If the leading coefficient is negative with an even

degree to its variable, the graph falls to the left and
falls to the right (, ).
 Zeros of Polynomial Functions
• It can be shown that for a polynomial function of
degree n, the following statements are true:

• 1. The function has, at most, n real zeros.

• 2. The graph has, at most, n – 1 turning points.

• Turning points (relative maximum or relative
minimum) are points at which the graph changes
from increasing to decreasing or vice versa.
 Zeros of Polynomial Functions
The zeros of a polynomial function are the values of x which
make f(x) = 0. These values are the roots, or solutions of the
polynomial equation when y = 0. All real roots are the x-
intercepts of the graph.

How many turning points does f(x) = x³ + 3x² − x − 3 have?

How many Roots does f(x) = x³ + 3x² − x − 3 have? 3

But these may vary some times

Find all the real zeros of f (x) = x 4 – x3 – 2x2.
How many turning points are there?

The real zeros are x = –1, x = 0, and x = 2.

(where curve cross or touch X-axis )

These correspond to the

x-intercepts.

Turning points