Week 1

Polynomial Function
Definition of Polynomial Function
Example of Polynomial Function
Example of not Polynomial Function
Try this!
Recall: Factoring Polynomials
Recall: Factoring Polynomials

Therefore, the factors

of the given
polynomial are (x+1)
(x-2) (x+3)
x-intercept and y-intercept of a Polynomial Function

The x-intercepts of a polynomial function are the x-values

when y = 0. To solve, the following steps maybe helpful:
1. Factor the given polynomial function complete
2. Let the value of y to be equal to zero
3. Solve for the values of x
4. Write your answer in ordered pair
x-intercept and y-intercept of a Polynomial Function
 Example

Factor
Let y = 0

x+1=0 x+3=0 x-2=0

x = -1 x = -3 x=2
Example

Let x = 0
Solve for the value of y
Graphing Polynomial Functions using the intercepts
To graph a polynomial function using the x and y
intercepts, the following steps maybe performed.
1. Factor the given polynomial completely
2. Solve for the x and y intercepts
3. Construct a table of signs
4. Construct intervals using the x-intercepts
Graphing Polynomial Functions using the intercepts
5. Identify a test number in every interval
6. Substitute the identified test number to factor and determine if
the answer is either positive or negative
7. Determine the sign of the polynomial function if the test
number is substituted, write above if it is positive, and write
below if it is negative in the position of the curve relative to
the x-axis
8. Sketch the graph
Example
 Example

Step 3: Construct a table of signs

INTERVALS

TEST VALUE

POSITION OF THE
CURVE
RELATIVE TO
X-AXIS
Example
 Example
Step 4: Construct intervals using the x-intercepts

INTERVALS

TEST VALUE

POSITION OF THE
CURVE
RELATIVE TO
X-AXIS
 Example
Step 5:Identify a test value in every interval

INTERVALS

TEST VALUE -4 -2 0 3

POSITION OF THE
CURVE
RELATIVE TO
X-AXIS
 Example
Step 6: Substitute the identified test number to each factor and
determine if the answer is either positive or negative.

INTERVALS

TEST VALUE -4 -2 0 3
- - + +
- + + +
- - - +

POSITION OF THE
CURVE
RELATIVE TO
X-AXIS
 Example
Step 7: Determine the sign of the polynomial function if the test number is
substituted, write above if it is positive, and write below if it is negative in
the position of the curve relative to the x-axis

INTERVALS

TEST VALUE -4 -2 0 3
- - + +
- + + +
- - - +
- + - +

POSITION OF THE CURVE

Below Above Below Above
RELATIVE TO X-AXIS
 Example
Step 8: Sketch the Graph

(-3,0) (-1,0) (2,0)

(0, -6)