MHF4U: Grade12 Advanced Functions (Public)

Unit 1: Introduction to Polynomial Functions

Activity 2: Investigation of characteristics of polynomial functions

Unit 1 Activity 1: Characteristics of functions

Homework

Instructions: Complete this homework based on the topics that were covered in
this activity. If you experience any difficulties, email your teacher with the
question number and the specific problem.

1. For each of the following functions complete the chart and sketch the function
using GraphCalc.

Function degree Sign of End End

leading behavi behaviour
coefficient our x
x

y  3x 2  4 x  1 2 even 3 positive
y   x 4  x3  x 2  3 4 even -1 negative

y  2 x 5  9 x 4  11x 2  x  13 5 odd 2 positive

y  2 x 4  4 x 3  x 2  6 x  5 4 even -2 negative

y   x3  8 x 2  4 x  1 3 odd -1 negative

2. Based on the above chart, find the relationship between the end behaviour
of a function and the degree.

Even function with positive leading coefficient

y as x

3. Using GraphCalc fill-in the following chart.

Function degree Number of zeroes

y  3x 2  4 x  1 2 even 2
y   x 4  x3  x 2  3 4 even
y  2 x 5  9 x 4  11x 2  x  13 5 odd
y  2 x 4  4 x 3  x 2  6 x  5 4 even
y   x3  8 x 2  4 x  1 3 odd

4. Based on the chart in question #3, what is the minimum and maximum
number of zeroes possible for each of the following polynomial functions with the
following degrees:

5. Identify the sign of the leading coefficient and describe the end behaviour.
Using this information, decide if each function is cubic or quartic

Cubic: Positive, y x Quartic, Negative

Quadrtic, Positive Cubic, Negative

6. Without using any graphing technology, graph the following polynomial

functions:
Function: Function:
y   x( x  2) 4 ( x  3) y  x 3 ( x  4)( x  5) 2

Degree: 6 Degree: 6

Sign: negative Sign: positive

Quadrants: 3 to 4 Quadrants: 2 to 1

Roots: -3, 0, 2 Roots: -5, 0, 4

y-intercept: 0 y-intercept: 0

domain: xer domain: xer

range: yer range: yer

end behaviours: as end behaviours: as

as as
Function: Function:
y  ( x  1)5 ( x  3) 4 y  ( x  3) 2 ( x  1)3

Degree: 9 Degree: 5

Sign: negative Sign: positive

Quadrants: 2 to 4 Quadrants: 3 to 1

Roots: -1, 3 Roots: -3, 1

y-intercept: -81 y-intercept: -9

domain: xer domain: xer

range: yer range: yer

end behaviours: as end behaviours: as

as as
Function: Function:
y   x 4 ( x  3)( x  4)3 y  ( x  3)( x  5)( x  2) 2

Degree: 8 Degree: 4

Sign: negative Sign: positive

Quadrants: Q3 to Q4 Quadrants: 2 to 1

Roots: -3, 0, 4 Roots:-5, 2, 3

y-intercept: 0 y-intercept:-60

domain: xer domain: xer

range: yer range: yer

end behaviours: as end behaviours: as

as as