Mat1033 6 3

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Sec 6.3 - 1
Chapter 6
Exponents, Polynomials, and

Polynomial Functions
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

Sec 6.3 - 2
6.3
Polynomial Functions
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

Sec 6.3 - 3
6.3 Polynomial Functions
Objectives
1. Recognize and evaluate polynomial functions.

2. Use a polynomial function to model data.
3. Add and subtract polynomial functions.
4. Graph basic polynomial functions.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 6.3 - 4
Definition of a Polynomial Function
Polynomial Function
A polynomial function of degree n is defined by
f (x) = an xn + an – 1 xn – 1 + · · · + a1 x + a0 ,
for real numbers an,an – 1, . . . , a1, and a0 , where an ≠ 0 and n is a whole
number.
EXAMPLE 1 Evaluating Polynomial Functions
Let f(x) = 4x3 – 5x2 + 7. Find each value.
(a) f(2)
f(x) = 4x3 – 5x2 + 7
f(2) = 4 • 23 – 5 • 22 + 7
= 4•8 – 5•4 + 7
= 32 – 20 + 7
= 19
EXAMPLE 1 Evaluating Polynomial Functions
Let f(x) = 4x3 – 5x2 + 7. Find each value.
(b) f(–3)
f(x) = 4x3 – 5x2 + 7
f(–3) = 4 • (–3)3 – 5 • (–3)2 + 7

= 4 • (–27) – 5•9 + 7
= –108 – 45 + 7
= –146
Functions
While f is the most common letter used to represent functions, recall that
other letters such as g and h are also used. The capital letter P is often used
for polynomial functions.
EXAMPLE 2 Using a Polynomial Model to Approximate
Data
The number of U.S. households estimated to see and pay at least one bill
on-line each month during the years 2000 through 2006 can be modeled by
the polynomial function defined by
P(x) = 0.808x2 + 2.625x + 0.502,
where x = 0 corresponds to the year 2000, x = 1 corresponds to 2001, and
so on, and P(x) is in millions. Use this function to approximate the number
of households expected to pay at least one bill on-line each month in 2006.
Since x = 6 corresponds to 2006, we must find P(6).
P(x) = 0.808x2 + 2.625x + 0.502
P(6) = 0.808(6)2 + 2.625(6) + 0.502 Let x = 6.
= 45.34 Evaluate.
Thus, in 2006 about 45.34 million households are expected to pay at least
one bill on-line each month.
Adding and Subtracting Functions
Adding and Subtracting Functions

If f(x) and g(x) define functions, then
(f + g) (x) = f (x) + g(x) Sum function

and (f – g) (x) = f (x) – g(x). Difference function
In each case, the domain of the new function is the intersection of the
domains of f(x) and g(x).
EXAMPLE 3 Adding and Subtracting Functions
For the polynomial functions defined by

f(x) = 2x2 – 3x + 4 and g(x) = x2 + 9x – 5,
find (a) the sum and (b) the difference.
(a) (f + g) (x) = f (x) + g(x) Use the definition.
= (2x2 – 3x + 4) + (x2 + 9x – 5)Substitute.

= 3x2 + 6x – 1 Add the polynomials.
(b) (f – g) (x) = f (x) – g(x) Use the definition

= (2x2 – 3x + 4) – (x2 + 9x – 5) Substitute.
= (2x2 – 3x + 4) + (–x2 – 9x + 5) Change subtract

to addition.
= x2 – 12x + 9 Add.

f(x) = 4x2 – x and g(x) = 3x,
find each of the following.
(a) (f + g) (5)
(f + g) (5) = f (5) + g(5) Use the definition.
= [4(5)2 – 5] + 3(5) Substitute.
= 110

f(x) = 4x2 – x and g(x) = 3x,
(a) (f + g) (5)
Alternatively, we could first find (f + g) (x).

(f + g) (x) = f (x) + g(x) Use the definition.
= (4x2 – x) + 3x Substitute.
= 4x2 + 2x
Then,
(f + g) (5) = 4(5)2 + 2(5) = 110. The result is the same.

f(x) = 4x2 – x and g(x) = 3x,
(b) (f – g) (x) and (f – g) (3)
(f – g) (x) = f (x) – g(x) Use the definition.
= (4x2 – x) – 3x Substitute.
= 4x2 – 4x Combine like terms.

Then,
(f – g) (3) = 4(3)2 – 4(3) = 24. Substitute.
Confirm that f (3) – g(3) gives the same result.
Basic Polynomial Functions
The simplest polynomial function is the identity function, defined by f(x) = x.

y
x f(x) = x
–2 –2
–1 –1
0 0 x
1 1
2 2
The squaring function, is defined by f(x) = x2.

y
x f(x) = x2
–2 4
–1 1
0 0 x
1 1
2 4
The cubing function, is defined by f(x) = x3.

y
x f(x) = x3
–2 –8
–1 –1
0 0 x
1 1
2 8
EXAMPLE 5 Graphing Variations of the Identity Function

Graph the function by creating a table of ordered pairs. Give the domain and
the range of the function by observing the graph.
(a) f(x) = –2x. y
Range
x f(x) = –2x
–2 4
–1 2
Domain x
0 0
1 –2
2 –4
EXAMPLE 5 Graphing Variations of the Identity Function

Graph the function by creating a table of ordered pairs. Give the domain and
the range of the function by observing the graph.
y
(b) f(x) = x2 – 2.
Range
x f(x) = x – 2 2
–2 2
–1 –1
Domain x
0 –2
1 –1
2 2

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Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.

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Exponents, Polynomials, and

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

1. Recognize and evaluate polynomial functions.

Definition of a Polynomial Function

A polynomial function of degree n is defined by

EXAMPLE 1 Evaluating Polynomial Functions

Let f(x) = 4x3 – 5x2 + 7. Find each value.

f(x) = 4x3 – 5x2 + 7

EXAMPLE 1 Evaluating Polynomial Functions

Let f(x) = 4x3 – 5x2 + 7. Find each value.

f(x) = 4x3 – 5x2 + 7

f(–3) = 4 • (–3)3 – 5 • (–3)2 + 7

Adding and Subtracting Functions

Adding and Subtracting Functions

(f + g) (x) = f (x) + g(x) Sum function

EXAMPLE 3 Adding and Subtracting Functions

For the polynomial functions defined by

= (2x2 – 3x + 4) + (x2 + 9x – 5)Substitute.

(b) (f – g) (x) = f (x) – g(x) Use the definition

= (2x2 – 3x + 4) + (–x2 – 9x + 5) Change subtract

EXAMPLE 4 Adding and Subtracting Functions

For the polynomial functions defined by

= [4(5)2 – 5] + 3(5) Substitute.

EXAMPLE 4 Adding and Subtracting Functions

For the polynomial functions defined by

Alternatively, we could first find (f + g) (x).

EXAMPLE 4 Adding and Subtracting Functions

For the polynomial functions defined by

= 4x2 – 4x Combine like terms.

Confirm that f (3) – g(3) gives the same result.

Basic Polynomial Functions

The simplest polynomial function is the identity function, defined by f(x) = x.

Basic Polynomial Functions

The squaring function, is defined by f(x) = x2.

Basic Polynomial Functions

The cubing function, is defined by f(x) = x3.

EXAMPLE 5 Graphing Variations of the Identity Function

EXAMPLE 5 Graphing Variations of the Identity Function

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