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f x an x an 1 x
n n 1
a1 x ao
g x 2 x 0 A polynomial of degree 0.
Not a polynomial because of the
h x 2 x 1
square root since the power is NOT
an integer 1
x x2
3
F x x 2 Not a polynomial because of the x in
the denominator since the power is
x negative 1 1
x
x
Graphs of polynomials are smooth and continuous.
and grows
f x x 2
steeper on either
side
f x x 3
The higher the
power, the flatter
and steeper
Let’s graph f x x 2
4
Translates up 2
Reflects about Looks like x2
the x-axis but wider near
origin and
steeper after 1
and -1
turning points
in the middle
left hand
behaviour: falls right hand
behaviour: falls
Odd degree polynomials fall on the left and rise on
the right hand sides of the graph (like x3) if the
coefficient is positive.
turning Points
in the middle right hand
behaviour: rises
left hand
behaviour: falls
Odd degree polynomials rise on the left and fall on
the right hand sides of the graph (like x3) if the
coefficient is negative.
turning points
in the middle
left hand
behaviour: rises
right hand
behaviour: falls
A polynomial of degree n can have at most n-1 turning
points (so whatever the degree is, subtract 1 to get
the most times the graph could turn).
Let’s determine left and right hand behaviour for the
graph of the function: doesn’t mean it has that many
4
f x x 3x most 3 turning2points but that’s the
15 xit can
19 x
have
30
degree is 4 which is even and the coefficient is positive so the
graph will look like x2 looks off to the left and off to the right.
How do we
The graph can
determine
have at most 3
what it looks
turning points
like near the
middle?
0f x x x 23xx 315
4 3
xx 119xx 30
2
5
x and y intercepts would be useful and we know how
to find those. To find the y intercept we put 0 in for x.
g ( x) x 1 x 2 x 3
Can you find the zeros 3 2
of the polynomial?