MHF4U1 1.

1 POLYNOMIAL(POWER) FUNCTIONS Key

FUNCTIONS:
A function, sometimes called a mapping, is a relation in which no two different ordered pairs have the same
x – coordinate (first member). That is, every set of ordered pairs is a relation, but every relation is not a
function. So that, in fact, functions make up a subset of all relations.

Relations Functions

In everyday language, we use the word “function” to express the idea that one thing depends on another.
• The time to complete the sailing course is a function of the skipper’s skill.
• The time of a free fall is a function of the plane’s altitude.
• The number appearing on the tape counter of a videocassette recorder is a function of the time of

-1
playing. lines are functions
Noten : All straight
except vertical lines
.

TESTING FOR FUNCTIONS: line is

Equation of a vertical
➢ Algebraic Test: X=a_
A relation is a function if for every value for x there is only one value of y.

• Ex. y = 3x – 1 is a function, as for any value of x there is only one value of y.

• "

t
Ex. x = y2 is not a function since if x = 4 then y = 2 and -2
when 4
y? ×
✗ =

-74
Y=±T× ×
Y -12
➢ Geometric Test (“Vertical Line Test”): not
=

> a

I
function
If we draw all possible vertical lines on the graph of a relation, the relation:
• Is a function if each line intersects the graph no more than once
• Is not a function if one line intersects the graph more than once

Are the following two relations functions?

'
i
H
H
I
↑
I i

Yes No

Vertical line test vertical line test

Passes fails
 variable
2×4 3×3+5>8-4×-7 1) is
× a
f- CX) = -

exponents are whole numbers e

2)
real numbers
Polynomial Functions:
3) coefficients are .

is polynomial function .

•
:
It a

A polynomial expression in one variable is an algebraic expression that can be written in the form
anxn + an – 1xn – 1 + an – 2xn – 2 + … + a3x3 + a2x2 + a1x1 + a0.

A polynomial function is any function that contains a polynomial expression in one variable.

A polynomial function has the form f(x) = anxn + an – 1xn – 1 + an – 2xn – 2 + … + a3x3 + a2x2 + a1x1 + a0.
where,
• n is a whole number (non-negative integer ie. 0,1,2,3 …..)
• x is a variable
f- Cx) 2×4
= -
3×3+5>8-4×-7
• the coefficients a0, a1, ………, an are real numbers degree 4
=

L C = 2
• the degree of the function is n, the exponent of the highest power of x -7
• an, the coefficient of the highest power of x, is the leading coefficient Constant term =

• a0, the term without a variable, is the constant term

➢ The domain of a polynomial function is the set of real numbers.

➢ The range of a polynomial function may be all real numbers, or it may have a lower bound or an upper
bound (but not both). Linear → FD 's are
Deg =L → constant
➢ The graphs of polynomial functions do not have horizontal or vertical asymptotes.
.

➢ The nth finite differences of a polynomial function of degree n are constant. Quadratic → SD 's are
Deg 2 → =

constant
➢ The graphs of polynomial functions of degree zero are horizontal lines. The shape of other graphs
Deg =3 → cubic →Third Diff
depends on the degree of the function. are constant
.

Deg -_n→ nth differences

Five typical shapes are shown for various degrees: constant
are

Power Functions: Example :

Constant
A power function is the simplest type of polynomial function and has the form f(x) = axn, 7=7--7×0 function
where,
• a is a real number Y 2X Linear =

• x is a variable
• n is a whole number (non-negative integer)
4=3×2 Quadratic
-2×3 cubic
y =

Power functions have similar characteristics depending on whether their degree is even or odd
✗
4 Quartic
✗ =

7=4×5 Quintic
 function has
End Behaviour:
An even
degree polynomial end behaviours
.

same
Polynomial Functions of Even Degree (highest degree is even):

• If the leading coefficient is positive, then the • If the leading coefficient is negative, then the
function extends from Quadrants II to I. function extends from Quadrants III to IV.

Example: f(x) = x2 – 3 Example: f(x) = –x2 + 1

;µ=
2 Leven ) 2 Leven ) Q2
Degree Degree
-_ __

az a,
a,
Lc= positive Lc=
negative
•••.••

End Behaviour
03 04
E '

t
•••µ= t
-5+1

Q2 → Qs 13 04

As x→-• → y→o AS -

same same
.

✗→• → →

Polynomial Functions of Odd Degree (highest degree is odd):

opposite end behaviours
.

function has
An odd degree polynomial
• If the leading coefficient is positive, then the • If the leading coefficient is negative, then the
function extends from Quadrants III to I. function extends from Quadrants II to IV

Example: f(x) = x3 Example: f(x) = –x5

=3 ( odd) =3 ( odd)
% A

x→•→ypposite
Degree " Degree 5

?g"
y= -
✗
Lc positive
.=
Lc positive Q2 Q1
.=

End Behaviour End Behaviour

0.3 → Q '
az Q2 -704 oz 04
04

x→-•→µ-a
As Asx -50

x→a→y→ @ opposite
Line Symmetry
A graph has line symmetry if there is a vertical line x = a that divides the graph into two parts such that each
part is a reflection of the other.

• Even-degree power functions have line symmetry in the y axis, x = 0.

Example: f(x) = x2 has line symmetry in the y-axis.

^•µy=×
•
•

g.
to
Do

Point Symmetry
A graph has point symmetry about a point (a, b) if each part of the graph on one side of (a, b) can be rotated
180° to coincide with part of the graph on the other side of (a, b).

• Odd-degree power functions have point symmetry about the origin, (0, 0).

Example: f(x) = x3 has point symmetry about the origin.

"
"

;.µ
Example 1 Tx =
XYZ
i) Identify if each function is a polynomial function. Justify your answer.
If it is a polynomial function, answer the following two questions. TTC =
xY3
ii) State the degree of the function and the leading coefficient. %
iii) Determine the end behaviour. TES = ✗

a) f(x) = 3x – 1 b) g(x) = sinx c) y = x +4

Trig function
function
1) Polynomial
) Degree Codd) 9=3%1-4
polynomial
1
ii
Not
=

Lc =3 ( positive
function '
Not a function
03 to Q1 is
iii) Extends from since ✗ =
£
As
a fraction .

✗ → w ✗→ o
-
-

✗ → a
,
y→ a

d) f(x) = -2x4 + 3 3x 2 + 1 f) y = 7
e) h(x) =
function
x−2 Y=7x°
1) Polynomial
ii ) Degree 4
(even) Not a polynomial ;) polynomial Function
function
=

negative)
.

( 0
Rational function ;) Degree
=
Lc = i
,
Iii) Extends from 03 to 04 ,, =

(has a restriction iii ) Extends from

As ✗ → w ✗→ -0 of a
# 2)
-

, 02 to Q1
✗ → a y -50
,

As x→ -00, 7=7
✗→ 0
,
-1=7
g) y = x3 – 5x2 + 6x – 8 h) g(x) = 3x
i)
1) Polynomial function Not a polynomial function
Codd) function 1) Polynomial
) Degree =3
Codd)
.

ii
) Degree =3
Exponential
ii
1 ( positive
Lc=¥ ( negative)
Lc =

03 to Q1 since
Iii) Extends from function Iii) Extends from
exponent
is
As ✗ → w
-

✗→ o the Q2 to 04
-

✗ → a
,
y → •
a
variable .

As oc -5W , ✗→ A

oc → x
,
y -50
Interval Notation
Summary of all possible intervals for real numbers a and b, where a b.

Bracket Inequality Graph on a Number Line In Words

Interval Notation The set of all real numbers x such that
Notation
(a, b) a x b x is greater than and less than b
a b

(a, b] a x b x is greater than a and less than or

a b equal to b

[a, b) a x b x is greater than or equal to a and less

a b than b

[a, b] a x b x is greater than or equal to a and less

than or equal to b
a b

[a, ) x a x is greater than or equal to a

a
(– , a] x a x is less than or equal to a
a

(– , a) x a x is less than a

a
(a, ) x a x is greater than a

a
(– , ) The set of all real numbers.

Note: You can never include infinity

I @ always has C )
• Intervals that are infinite are expressed using (positive infinity) or – (negative infinity)

• Square brackets indicate that the end value is included in the interval.
[ ]
• Round brackets indicate that the end value is NOT included in the interval. ( )

• A round bracket is always used at positive infinity and negative infinity.

Example 2.

a) Given: Bracket Notation of x {KERI -31×24

[-3,4), convert to inequality notation ________________________ }
4 % 7<7
{ YEPY
YES
b) Given: Bracket Notation of y ( − , 5] , convert to inequality notation ______________________ }
< • >
,
c) Given: Inequality notation of {x R ✗ C- (4) a)
x > 4 } convert to bracket notation ___________________

¥>
d) Given: Inequality notation of {y R –9 YE £9,7)
y < 7} convert to bracket notation _______________

Example 3. For each determine whether it is a function, the domain and range.

a) line test
3.
Yes passes vertical
.

Function: ______________________________
-
- - - -

r
I XEEI , ] -5
Domain: ________________ (bracket notation)
g-
-

i
-

I 5 YE ( 1,3 ]
Range: __________________ (bracket notation)

b)

test
Yes Passes vertical
line .

-4 Function: ___________________________________________
I
{xc-RI.sc }
> -4 (inequality notation)
Domain: ___________________________

I { YER/ 47-33 (inequality notation)

Range: ____________________________

c)
No
Function: _______________________________________

ace C- 4,4]
Domain: _________________________ (bracket notation)

Y C- [-3-2] (bracket notation)

Range: __________________________