NONLINEAR POLYNOMIAL AND TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS
Nonlinear Polynomial Function: a function involving non-
negative powers of x.
General form
𝑛 𝑛−1 𝑛−2
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎0 𝑥 + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎2 𝑥 + … + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 + 𝑎𝑛
Roots: the x-intercepts of a polynomial function. Also called the
zeros of the polynomial function.
To find the roots of a nonlinear polynomial function, factor the
function.
Factoring nonlinear polynomial function:
1. Set f(x) = 0.
2. Factor out the GCF or any common monomial factor.
3. Factor any factorable binomial or trinomial.
4. Set each factor to zero and solve the roots.
Multiplicity: the number of times a given factor appears in the
factored form of a polynomial function.
Turning point: where the graph of the function changes from
sloping downwards to sloping upwards.
A polynomial function of degree n has at most n – 1 turning points.
Sketching a nonlinear polynomial function:
1. Determine the roots of the function.
2. Determine the multiplicities of the roots:
- for even multiplicity, the graph touches the x-axis
- for odd multiplicity, the graph crosses the x-axis.
3. From the general form of a nonlinear polynomial function:
- if a0 > 0 and n is odd, then the graph increases without bound
at right end and decreases without bound at left end
- if a0 > 0 and n is even, then the graph increases without
bound at both ends
- if a0 < 0 and n is odd, then the graph decreases without bound
at right end and increases without bound at left end
- if a0 < 0 and n is even, then the graph decreases without
bound at both ends
Determining the polynomial function from a graph:
1. Identify the x-intercepts of the graph to find the factors of the
polynomial.
2. To obtain the multiplicities b1, b2,…, bn, observe the behavior of
the graph at each x-intercept x1, x2,…, xn.
3. Use any other point on the graph, preferably the y-intercept, to
determine the stretch factor a from
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )𝑏1 (𝑥 − 𝑥2 )𝑏2 ⋯ (𝑥 − 𝑥𝑛 )𝑏𝑛
NONLINEAR POLYNOMIAL AND TRANSCENDENTAL FUNCTIONS

Transcendental function: a non-algebraic function that contains a trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, exponential, or logarithmic
function.

Intersection method: determines the roots of transcendental function

Determining the roots of transcendental functions:

1. Split the transcendental function into two functions, then equate them to each other.

2. Graph the two functions.

3. The roots of the transcendental function are the x-coordinates of the intersection points of the two functions.

Desmos graphing calculator: a free online software that can plot the graph of a variety of functions including algebraic and non-algebraic
functions.