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Study each figure and answer the questions that follow. Summarize your answers using a table
similar to the one provided.
Case 1
The graph on the right is defined by y = 2x3 – 7x2 – 7x + 12 or, in factored form,
y = (2x + 3) (x – 1) (x – 4).
Questions:
a. Is the leading coefficient a positive or a negative number?
b. Is the polynomial of even degree or odd degree?
c. Observe the end behaviors of the graph on both sides. Is it raising
or falling to the left or the right?
1. If the degree of the polynomial is odd and the leading coefficient is positive, then the graph
falls to the left and rises to the right.
Case 2
The graph on the right is defined by y = -x5 + 3x4 + x3 – 7x2 + 4 or, in factored form,
y = -(x + 1)2 (x – 1) (x – 2)2.
Questions:
a. Is the leading coefficient a positive or a negative number?
b. Is the polynomial of even degree or odd degree?
c. Observe the end behaviors of the graph on both sides. Is it raising
or falling to the left or the right?
2. If the degree of the polynomial is odd and the leading coefficient is negative, then the graph rises to
the left and falls to the right.
ACTIVITY:
Complete the table below. In the last column, draw a possible graph for the function, showing
how the function behaves. You do not need to place your graph on the xy-plane. The first one
is done for you as an example.
y = 4x5 + x3 + x + 2
y = -9x9 - 49
y = x5 + x2 + x + 2
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