LESSON 7

POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

Overview:
Another lesson is set for you to explore. Some real-life situations require the
application of polynomials. Just like an engineer can use polynomials to create building
plans, entrepreneurs can design cost-effective products.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lesson, the students can:
1. illustrate polynomial function;
2. identify a polynomial function from a given set of functions;
3. determine the degree , the leading term, leading coefficient and the constant
term; and
4. create a two – three stanza poem about polynomial functions and present it
through a recorded video.

Learning Content:

A polynomial is a kind of algebraic expression where each term is a constant, a

variable, or a product of a constant and variable in which the variable has a whole
number exponent.

An expression is POLYNOMIAL if:

 The variable has no negative exponent
 The variable has no fractional exponent
 The variable is not inside the radical symbol
 The variable is not in the denominator
Here are some examples:
This is NOT a polynomial …. because the variable has a
term…. negative exponent
 7x-3

5 This is NOT a polynomial …. because the variable is in

term…. the denominator
x2

√x This is NOT a polynomial …. because the variable is

term…. inside the radical symbol

11x2 This is a polynomial term…. …. because it satisfies the

polynomial rules

Here’s a typical polynomial The polynomial is arranged in

terms descending order, and is of degree 2.

leading
2 The leading term is the term
coefficient
4 x + 3x – 7 containing the highest power of the
variable or the term with the highest
leading term constant term degree. The leading coefficient is
the coefficient of the leading term.

A polynomial function has the form f(x) = a nxn + an-1 xn-1 - 1+ … + a1x + a0,
where an, an-1,…, a0 are real numbers and n is a nonnegative integer. In other words, a
polynomial is the sum of one or more monomials with real coefficients and nonnegative
integer exponents. The degree of the polynomial function is the highest value for n
where n is not equal to 0.
It can be easily identified if the terms are arranged in the descending order
of exponents and we can say that the polynomial function is in standard form. A
polynomial function may also be denoted by f(x) = y. Sometimes, a polynomial function
is represented by a set P of ordered pairs (x, y).
Polynomial Function in Standard Form
Example: Write the given polynomial function in standard form
1) P(x) = 2x + x3 + 3x5 + 4
Solution:
 Arrange it in the descending (highest to lowest) order of exponents.
Answer: P(x) = 3x5 + x3 + 2x + 4

2) y = – 45 + 45x2 + 6x3 + 66x

Solution:
 Arrange it in the descending (highest to lowest) order of exponents.
Answer: y = 6x3 + 45x2 + 66x – 45
3) f (x) = 2x (x – 4x3 + 1)
Solution:
 Find the product of the given polynomial
f (x) = 2x (x – 4x3 + 1)
f (x) = 2x2 – 8x4 + 2x
 Arrange it in the descending (highest to lowest) order of exponents.
f (x) = – 8x4 + 2x2 + 2x

TYPES OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

Polynomial Function Example Degree Leading Constant
Coefficient Term

Zero Polynomial Function f(x) = 0 None None None

P(x) = 0

Constant Polynomial Function g(x) = 3 0 0 3

P(x) = a0

Linear Polynomial Function h(x) = x - 9 1 1 -9

P(x) = ax + b

Quadratic Polynomial Function p(x) = 4x2 + 6 2 4 6

P(x) = ax2 + bx + c

Cubic Polynomial Function q(x) = x3 – 2x2 – 4x + 3 1 6

6
P(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d
 Quartic Polynomial Function f(x) = 3x4 + 5x3 – x – 4 3 -8
8
P(x) = ax4 + bx3 + cx2 + dx + e

Quintic Polynomial Function f(x) = 9x5 + 10x + 2 5 9 2

P(x) = ax5 + bx4 +cx3 +dx2 + ex +f

f(x) = 7x2y3 + 4x + 9 5 7 9

nth degree Polynomial Function f(x) = 7x6y3 + 4x + 9 9 7 9

Learning Activities: Use one whole sheet of paper. Copy and answer. Strictly no
erasure or double marking.
A) Determine if the following are Polynomial Functions or NOT.
____________ 1) h (x) = 4x – 7 ____________4) h (x) = 6x (x2 – 1)
7 1 5 3 3
____________ 2) f (x) = + x2 ____________5) h (x) = x + x - 4x4 - 12
x 4 5
____________ 3) h (x) = 5x3 + x – 3 ____________6) f (x) = √ x7+ 3x6 – 4x

B) Determine the types of Polynomial Functions, degree, leading coefficient, and

the constant term. Write your answer on the table provided.

7) f (x) = 3x4 – 5x6 + 8x2 – 4x3 9) f (x) = 3x2 – x – 2

1 2
8) f (x) = x (5x3 + 7) 10) f (x) = x + 4x3 + 5
2
Type of Polynomial Function Degree Leading Constant Term
Coefficient

7)

8)

9)

10)