Concept Note 2.

Topic: Polynomial Function and Polynomial Equation

Polynomial Function- is a mathematical expression in the form of

Where a n≠ 0 and n is a non-negative integer.

By definition, since n must be a non-negative integer, the following are the things to remember about a polynomial
function.
1. There must be no negative exponents, as stated the n, our exponent must be a non-negative integer. In relation
to this, a polynomial must not have a variable in the denominator since a variable in the denominator is the
same as having a negative exponent.
2. Since our n ( exponent ) is classified as integer, a fractional exponent must not be present in a polynomial too.
There must be no fractional exponent in your polynomial. Similarly, a variable inside a radical is also not allowed
to exist in a polynomial function.
3. In writing a polynomial, make sure to arrange the terms properly following the exponent in descending order.

Types of Polynomial Function:

Constant function- a function with the degree zero denoted by f(x)= a 0. This are any constant number that we used with
no variable. It can be a rational or irrational number. Ex. 4. -8. 1/5, 0.4 etc.
1
Linear Function- A function of degree 1 denoted by f(x)= a 1 x + a 0. Ex. 3x+ 4, -8y-5, etc.
2 1
Quadratic Function- A Function of degree 2 denoted by by f(x)= a 2 x + a1 x + a 0
Cubic Function- A function of degree 3
Quartic Function – A function of Degree 4
Quantic Function- A function of Degree 5

Polynomial Equation – formed when a polynomial function is equated into zero.

Ex. f(x)= 3 x 3 + 5 x 2 -8x + 3 --> Polynomial function
3 x 3 + 5 x 2 -8x + 3=0  Polynomial Equation

The things to remember stated in above for polynomial function is also applicable in polynomial equation.

Zeros of Polynomial Function- are values of the variable that satisfies the equation are called Roots or Zeros of
Polynomial Function. In the previous lesson, the possible zeros of polynomial function may be identified using rational
root theorem. The total number of zeros of a polynomial function is determined by the degree of the polynomial. If the
polynomial is a quantic polynomial, then you must have 5 roots including the imaginary roots.
Ex. Find the roots of x 2 -4x + 3=0
Since our example is a quadratic equation, we have 2 roots and we may get it using factoring or by using quadratic
formula

2
x -4x + 3=0- factoring ( x-3) ( x-1) = 0
x-3= 0 , x= 3 x-1= 0, x = 1
−b ± √ b −4 ac −(−4)± √(−4) −4 (1)(3) 4 ± √ 16−12 ¿ ¿
2 2
4±2
quadratic formula; = = 2 =
2a 2(1) 2
4+ 2 4−2
x1= = 3, x2= =1
2 2
ex. 2 tell whether 4 is a zero of a polynomial x 3 + 5 x 2 -8x + 3, to solve this, you may check if 4 is a root using remainder
theorem or factor theorem. For solution, you may use substitution or synthetic division, if 4 is a root of the polynomial,
then the remainder must be zero.
Sol. Using factor theorem: x 3 + 5 x 2 -8x + 3= (4)3 + 5(4)2 -8(4) + 3=0
64 + 80 – 32 + 3= 0
140 -32 + 3= 111. Therefore 4 is not a root/zero of the polynomial
function x 3 + 5 x 2 -8x + 3.
Descartes Rules of Sign- Tells how many positive and negative real roots are in the polynomial function based on the
sign changes in the polynomial function in the form of f(x) and f(-x).
The number of positive real zeros or roots of P(x)= 0 is either equal to the number of variation in the sign of
P(x) of less than this number by -2, -4, -6 and so on.
Ex. how many Positive real roots are in f(x) = 3 x 3 + 5 x 2 -8x + 3
Check the sign changes, the sign changes from + 5 x 2 to -8x (1) and -8x to +3, therefore the equation
may have 2 positive real root or 0 positive real root ( from n-2)

The number of positive real zeros or roots of P(x)= 0 is either equal to the number of variation in the sign of
P(-x) of less than this number by -2, -4, -6 and so on.

Ex. how many negative real roots are in f(x) = 3 x 3 + 5 x 2 -8x + 3

Solution: Lets chance the equation first to f(-x) = 3(−x )3 + 5(−x )2 -8(-x) + 3
=-3 x 3+ 5 x 2 +8x + 3
There is only one sign change from =-3 x 3 to 5 x 2,therefore there is 1 negative root in this equation.
Linear Factorization Theorem-
States that every polynomial function has a linear factor in the form of

where C are complex numbers ( possibly real and not

necessarily distinct).
By using this, we can calculate for the polynomial from its given root.
Example: what is the polynomial function given the roots x= 3, x= -2 and x= 1
Solution: equate the following roots into zero by transposing it to the left side.
X=3 x=-2 x=1
x-3=0 x+2=0 x-1=0
then get each resulting linear function and write is as f(x) = (x-3) (x+2) (x-1)=0
then solve using FOIL method (x-3) (x+2)= x 2 –x -6
( x 2 –x -6) ( x-1) = x 3 - x 2 -6x - x 2 +x + 6
= x 3 -2 x 2 -5x +6 is our polynomial Function:
Activity # 2.1
1. Classify each function as polynomial or not by completing the table below (10 points)
2. State the number of possible positive and negative zeros for each function ( 6 points)
a. Positive:___________ Negative:________

b. Positive:___________ Negative:________

C. Positive:___________ Negative:________

3. Solve for the zeros of the following polynomial ( 2 points)

a. x 3 -2 x 2 -5x +6- (use rational root theorem)

4. Give the equation of the polynomial with zeros x= -4 and x= 3 ( 2 points)