Types of Polynomials

On the basis of degree

Polynomial Degree Example

Zero Not Defined 6
Constant 0 P(x) = 6
Linear 1 P(x) = 3x +1
Quadratic 2 P(x) =4x2+5x+9
Cubic 3 P(x) = 6x3+3x2+8x+5
Bi-Quadratic (Quartic) 4 P(x) = x4+ 7x3+4x2+2x+3

On the basis of terms

Monomial Binomial Trinomial

One term Two terms Three terms
Example: x, 3y, 28, x/2, 5x2 Example: 2x + 1 , x2+1, x2 + Example: x2 + 2x + 20,
x 6z3 + 7z2 + 8z

Note:
 The zero polynomial function is defined as y = P(x) = 0 and the graph of
zero polynomial is the x-axis.
 The degree of a zero polynomial is not defined – 0x0 , 0x3, 0x111, 0x500 …
Since value of the polynomial in this case is always zero whatever is the
exponent, hence, it’s degree is “not defined”.
 The degree of a “non-constant” zero polynomial is “0”.
 We can find the “zeroes” of a polynomial by equating it to 0, i.e. P(x) = 0,
will give us the roots or zeroes of P(x).

Parabola
A parabola is basically a 'U' shaped curve turned in different directions. It can be
in one of the 4 forms.
 'U' shaped (top opened) parabola

 '∩' shaped (bottom opened) parabola

 '⊃' shaped (left opened) parabola
 '⊂' shaped (right opened) parabola
 Top/Bottom opened parabolas are of the form y = ax2 + bx + c
 Left/right opened parabolas are of the form x = ay2 + by + c
Vertex of a Parabola
Every parabola has a turning point. i.e., it has a point where it either changes
from "increasing" to "decreasing" or vice versa. That turning point is called the
vertex of the parabola.

Vertex Formula
The vertex of a parabola can be found by using formula
Vertex, (h, k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a)
Where “D” is the discriminant where D = b2 – 4ac.
“h” and “k” are the coordinates of the vertex.

Solved Examples Using Vertex Formula

Example 1:
Find the vertex of a parabola, y = 3x2+12x-12.
Solution:
Given parabola equation: y = 3x2+12x-12.
The given parabola equation is of the standard form y = ax2+bx+c.
By comparing the given equation and standard form, we get
a = 3. b= 12, c = -12.
We know that the vertex formula is (-b/2a, -D/4a)
We know that D = b2 – 4ac.
Therefore, D = (12)2-4(3)(-12)
D = 144+144
D = 288.
Now, substitute all the known values in the formula, we get
Vertex, (h, k) = ( (-12/2(3)), (-288/4(3))
(h, k) = (-12/6, -288/12)
(h. k) = (-2, -24)
The vertex (h, k) of the parabola y = 3x2+12x-12 is (-2, -24).
Determining direction of a Parabola
For equation y = ax2 + bx + c
(i) If coefficient of x2 is positive, i.e. a > 0 (positive), the parabola opens
upward & the vertex is a minimum.
(ii) If coefficient of x2 is negative, i.e. a < 0 (negative), the parabola opens
downward & the vertex is a maximum.

(iii) If the solutions are imaginary, it means that the parabola has no x-
intercepts (is strictly above or below the x-axis and never crosses it)

(i) (ii)

(iii , a<0 ) (iii , a>0)

Note: For, y= ax2 + bx + c , the Y Intercept will always have coordinates (0,c) as
it’s the value of “y” for “x=0” . The point at which parabola cuts the y-axis is known
as the y-intercept.
 Signs of Coefficients of a Quadratic Polynomial

(i) If a quadratic eqn y = ax2 + bx + c, represents a parabola opening upwards,

that is a > 0 and the vertex of the parabola is in fourth quadrant, where Q
lies in negative direction of y axis then a > 0, b < 0 and c < 0.

Explanation:
Parabola y = ax2 + bx + c cuts negative y-axis at Q.
[On putting x = 0 in y = ax2 + bx + c we get y = c. So, the coordinates of Q are
(0, c)]. As Q lies on negative y-axis. Therefore, c < 0.
Hence, a > 0, b < 0 and c < 0.
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(ii) If a quadrat eqn y = ax2 + bx + c represents a parabola opening downwards,

that is, a < 0 and the vertex of the parabola is in first quadrant where Q lies
on the positive direction of y-axis then a < 0, b > 0 and c > 0.
Explaination:

Parabola y = ax2 + bx + c cuts y-axis at Q. On y-axis, we have x = 0.

Putting x = 0 in y = ax2 + bx + c we get y = c.

So, the coordinates of Q are (0, c). As Q lies on the positive direction of y-axis.
Therefore, c > 0.

Hence, a < 0, b > 0 and c > 0.

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(iii) If y = ax2 + bx + c represents a parabola opening upwards.

That is a > 0 and the vertex of the parabola lies on positive direction of x-axis
then a > 0, b < 0, and c > 0.

Explaination:

The parabola y = ax2 + bx + c cuts y-axis at Q which lies on positive y-axis. Putting
x = 0 in y = ax2 + bx + c we get y = c. So, the coordinates of Q are (0, c). Clearly, Q
lies on OY. ∴ c > 0.

Hence, a > 0, b < 0, and c > 0.

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 (iii) If y = ax2 + bx + c represents a parabola that opens downwards. That is,
a < 0 and the vertex of the parabola is on negative x-axis,then a<0, b<0, c<0

Explaination

Parabola y = ax2 + bx + c cuts y-axis at Q (0, c) which lies on negative y-axis

Therefore, c < 0.

Hence, a < 0, b < 0and c < 0.

______________________________________________________________

(v) If y = ax2 + bx + c represents the parabola which opens upwards. That is , a > 0
and the vertex of the parabola lies in the first quadrant but do not touch x-axis
then, a >0, b < 0 and c > 0.

As Q (0, c) lies on positive y-axis. Therefore, c > 0. Hence, a >0, b < 0 and c > 0.
(vi) If y = ax2 + bx + c represents the parabola which opens downwards that is ,
a < 0 vertex of the parabola lies in the fourth quadrant but do not touch x-axis
then, a < 0, b> 0 and c < 0.

As Q (0, c) lies on negative y-axis. Therefore, c < 0. Hence, a < 0, b> 0 and c < 0.

Note: We can use this to identify whether a polynomial has real zeroes or not. That is
if D < 0 then the polynomial has no real zeroes.

Example: Show that the polynomial x2 + 4x + 7 has no real zeroes.

Sol: Here, f(x) = x2 + 4x + 7; comparing it with ax2 + bx + c, we get a=1, b= 4 & c= 7.

Using this in D = b2 – 4ac

D = (4)2 – 4 (1)(7)
= 16 – 28 = -12
As D < 0, Hence given polynomial has no real zeroes.