Graphing a
Polynomial
Function
Objectives
Recognize characteristics of graphs of polynomial
functions
Determine end behavior
Use factoring to find zeros of polynomial functions
Identify zeros and their multiplicities
Understand the relationship between degree and turning
points
Graph polynomial functions
Polynomial Functions
A polynomial function has all of its variables
with exponents which are positive integers.
It is not a polynomial function if a variable has
a negative exponent or if the exponent is a
fraction.
The Degree of a Function
Leading Coefficient
The leading coefficient is the coefficient of the
first term in a polynomial when the terms are
written in descending order by degrees.
For example, the quartic function
f(x) = -2x4 + x3 – 5x2 – 10 has a leading
coefficient of -2.
Basic Features of Graphs of
Polynomial Functions.
A graph of a polynomial function is continuous. This
means that the graph of a polynomial function has no
breaks, holes or gaps.
Basic Features of Graphs of Polynomial
Functions.
A graphof a polynomial function has only smooth, rounded
turns. A polynomial function cannot have a sharp turn.
Not a polynomial
function
Graphs of Polynomial Functions
NOT GRAPHS OF A POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION
END BEHAVIOR OF POLYNOMIAL
FUNCTIONS
The behavior of the graph of a function to the far left and far
right is called its end behavior.
Although the graph of a polynomial function may have intervals
where it increases or decreases, the graph will eventually rise or
fall without bound as it moves far to the left or far to the right.
How can we determine the end behavior of a polynomial
function? We look only at the term with the highest degree.
If the leading coefficient is positive with an even
degree to its variable, the graph rises to the left and
rises to the right (, ).
Example: f(x) = x²
If the leading coefficient is negative with an even
degree to its variable, the graph falls to the left and
falls to the right (, ).
Example: f(x) = − x²
If the leading coefficient is positive with an odd
degree to its variable, the graph falls to the left and
rises to the right (, ).
Example: f(x) = x³
If the leading coefficient is negative with an odd
degree to its variable, the graph rises to the left and
falls to the right (, ).
Example: f(x) = − x³
Using the Leading Coefficient Test
If the leading coefficient is positive with an
even degree to its variable, the graph rises to
the left and rises to the right (, ).
Using the Leading Coefficient Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph of…
f(x) = x³ + 3x − x − 3
If the leading coefficient is positive with an
odd degree to its variable, the graph falls to
the left and rises to the right (, ).
Using the Leading Coefficient Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph of…
f(x) = − 2x³ + 3x − x − 3
If the leading coefficient is negative with an odd
degree to its variable, the graph rises to the left
and falls to the right (, ).
Using the Leading Coefficient Test
If the leading coefficient is negative with an
even degree to its variable, the graph falls to the
left and falls to the right (, ).
Using the Leading Coefficient Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph of…
f(x) = 3x³(x − 1)(x + 5)
Because these terms and expressions are each
multiplied by each other, we add their degrees.
3+1+1=5
If the leading coefficient is positive with an odd
degree to its variable, the graph falls to the left and
rises to the right (, ).
Using the Leading Coefficient Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph of…
f(x) = − 4x³(x − 1)²(x + 5)
Add the degrees
If the leading coefficient is negative with an even
degree to its variable, the graph falls to the left and
falls to the right (, ).
Zeroes of Polynomial Functions
Itcan be shown that for a polynomial function of
degree n, the following statements are true:
1. The function has, at most, n real zeros.
2. The graph has, at most, n – 1 turning points.
Turning points (relative maximum or relative
minimum) are points at which the graph changes
from increasing to decreasing or vice versa.
Zeroes of Polynomial Functions
The zeros of a polynomial function are the values of x which
make f(x) = 0. These values are the roots, or solutions of the
polynomial equation when y = 0. All real roots are the x-
intercepts of the graph.
How many turning points does f(x) = x³ + 3x² − x − 3 have?
Find all the zeros of… f(x) = x³ + 3x² − x − 3
Set up the equation: x³ + 3x² − x − 3 = 0 and solve.
Multiplicities of Zeros
The multiplicity of a zero is the number of times the real
root of a polynomial function results in f(x) = 0.
Example: solve for the zeros of f(x) = x² (x − 2)²
x² (x − 2)² = 0
x² = 0 therefore, x = 0 to the multiplicity of 2
(x − 2)² = 0 therefore x = 2 to the multiplicity of 2
The exponent tells us the multiplicity.
Multiplicity and x-intercepts
Suppose r is a zero of even multiplicity. Then the graph touches
the x-axis at r and turns around at r.
Suppose r is a zero of odd multiplicity. Then the graph
crosses the x-axis at r.
Regardless of whether a multiplicity is even or odd, the graph
tends to flatten out near zeros with a multiplicity greater than
one.
Polynomial Functions
f(x) = 3
ConstantFunction
Degree = 0
Maximum
Number of
Zeros: 0
Polynomial Functions
f(x) = x + 2
LinearFunction
Degree = 1
Maximum
Number of
Zeros: 1
Polynomial Functions
f(x) = x2 + 3x + 2
Quadratic Function
Degree = 2
Maximum
Number of
Zeros: 2
Polynomial Functions
f(x) = x3 + 4x2 + 2
Cubic Function
Degree = 3
Maximum
Number of
Zeros: 3
Polynomial Functions
Quartic Function
Degree = 4
Maximum
Number of
Zeros: 4
