Polynomial Functions and

Graphs
 Higher Degree Polynomial Functions
and Graphs

Polynomial Function
A polynomial function of degree n in the variable x is
a function defined by
P( x)  an x n  an1 x n1    a1 x  a0
where each ai is real, an  0, and n is a whole number.

 an is called the leading coefficient

 n is the degree of the polynomial
 a0 is called the constant term
 Polynomial Functions

Polynomial
Name of
Function in Degree
Function
General Form
y  ax  b 1 Linear
y  ax 2  bx  c 2 Quadratic
y  ax 3  bx 2  cx  d 3 Cubic
y  ax 4  bx 3  cx 2  dx  e 4 Quartic
The largest exponent within the
polynomial determines the degree of the
polynomial.
 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
QuadraticFunction
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
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.
 The Leading Coefficient Test
As x increases or decreases without bound, the graph of the
polynomial function
f (x)  anxn  an-1xn-1  an-2xn-2 … a1x  a0 (an  0)
eventually rises or falls. In particular,
For n odd: an > 0 an < 0

If the If the leading

leading Rises right coefficient is Rises left
coefficient is negative, the
positive, the graph rises
graph falls to to the left
the left and and falls to
rises to the the right.
right. Falls right
Falls left
 The Leading Coefficient Test
As x increases or decreases without bound, the graph of the polynomial
function
f (x)  anxn  an-1xn-1  an-2xn-2 … a1x  a0 (an  0)
eventually rises or falls. In particular,
For n even: an > 0 an < 0

If the If the leading

leading Rises right coefficient is
coefficient is negative, the
positive, the Rises left graph falls to
graph rises the left and
to the left to the right.
and to the
right. Falls left

Falls right
 Example
Use the Leading Coefficient Test to determine the
end behavior of the graph of f (x)  x3  3x2  x  3.
Rises right
y

Falls left
 Determining End Behavior
Match each function with its graph.

f ( x)  x  x  5 x  4
4 2 g ( x)   x 6  x 2  3x  4
h( x )  3 x 3  x 2  2 x  4 k ( x)  7 x 7  x  4

A. B.

C. D.
 Quartic Polynomials
Look at the two graphs and discuss the questions given
below.
10
14
8
12
6
10
4
8
2
6
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 4
Graph A -2
-4 Graph B 2

-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-2
-8
-4
-10
-6
-12
-8
-14
-10

1. How can you check to see if both graphs are functions?

2. How many x-intercepts do graphs A & B have?
3. What is the end behavior for each graph?
4. Which graph do you think has a positive leading coeffient? Why?
5. Which graph do you think has a negative leading coefficient? Why?
 x-Intercepts (Real Zeros)

Number Of x-Intercepts of a Polynomial Function

A polynomial function of degree n will have a maximum
of n x- intercepts (real zeros).

Find all zeros of f (x) = -x4 + 4x3 - 4x2.

x4  4x3  4x2  0 We now have a polynomial equation.

x4  4x3  4x2  0 Multiply both sides by 1. (optional step)

x2(x2  4x  4)  0 Factor out x2.

x2(x  2)2  0 Factor completely.

x2  0 or (x  2)2  0 Set each factor equal to zero.

x0 x2 Solve for x.

(0,0) (2,0)
Multiplicity and x-Intercepts

If r is a zero of even multiplicity, then

the graph touches the x-axis and
turns around at r. If r is a zero of
odd multiplicity, then the graph
crosses the x-axis at r. Regardless
of whether a zero is even or odd,
graphs tend to flatten out at zeros
with multiplicity greater than one.
 Example

 Find the
x-intercepts and
multiplicity of
f(x) =2(x+2)2(x-3)
 Zeros are at

(-2,0)
(3,0)
 Extrema
 Turning points – where the graph of a function changes from
increasing to decreasing or vice versa. The number of turning points
of the graph of a polynomial function of degree n  1 is at most n – 1.

 Local maximum point – highest point or “peak” in an interval

 function values at these points are called local maxima

 Local minimum point – lowest point or “valley” in an interval

 function values at these points are called local minima

 Extrema – plural of extremum, includes all local maxima and local

minima
Extrema
 Number of Local Extrema

 A linear function has degree 1 and no local

extrema.
 A quadratic function has degree 2 with one
extreme point.
 A cubic function has degree 3 with at most
two local extrema.
 A quartic function has degree 4 with at most
three local extrema.
 How does this relate to the number of
turning points?
 Comprehensive Graphs

 The most important features of the graph of a

polynomial function are:
1. intercepts,
2. extrema,
3. end behavior.
 A comprehensive graph of a polynomial function
will exhibit the following features:
1. all x-intercepts (if any),
2. the y-intercept,
3. all extreme points (if any),
4. enough of the graph to exhibit end
behavior.