1.

1
Power Functions
A rock that is tossed into the water of a calm lake
creates ripples that move outward in a circular
pattern. The area, A, spanned by the ripples can
be modelled by the function A(r)  πr 2, where r
is the radius. The volume, V, of helium in a spherical
balloon can be modelled by the function V(r)  _ 4 πr 3,
3
where r is again the radius. The functions that
represent each situation are called power functions .
A power function is the simplest type of
polynomial function and has the form f(x)  axn,
where x is a variable, a is a real number, and n is
a whole number.

CONNECTIONS
A polynomial expression is an expression of the form
Polynomials are the building
blocks of algebra. Polynomial anxn  an  1xn  1  an  2xn  2  . . .  a3x3  a2x2  a1x  a0,
functions can be used to create
where
a variety of other types of
functions and are important in • n is a whole number
many areas of mathematics, • x is a variable
including calculus and numerical
• the coefficients a0, a1, . . . , an are real numbers
analysis. Outside mathematics,
the basic equations in economics • the degree of the function is n, the exponent of the greatest power of x
and many physical sciences are • an, the coefficient of the greatest power of x, is the leading coefficient
polynomial equations.
• a0, the term without a variable, is the constant term

A polynomial function has the form

f(x)  anxn  an  1xn  1  an  2xn  2  . . .  a3x3  a2x2  a1x  a0

Polynomial functions are typically written in descending order of powers of x.

The exponents in a polynomial do not need to decrease consecutively; that is,
some terms may have zero as a coefficient. For example, f(x)  4x3  2x  1 is
still a polynomial function even though there is no x2-term. A constant function,
of the form f(x)  a0, is also a type of polynomial function (where n  0), as
you can write the constant term a0 in the form a0x0.

4 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 1

Investigate What are the key features of the graphs of power functions?

1. Match each graph with the corresponding function. Justify your choices. Tools
Use a graphing calculator if necessary. • graphing calculator
a) y  x
b) y  x2
c) y  x3
d) y  x4
e) y  x5
f) y  x6
i) y ii) y
96 160 CONNECTIONS
Some power functions have special names
64 128
that are associated with their degree.
32 96 Power
Function Degree Name
64
4 2 0 2 4x ya 0 constant
32 32 y  ax 1 linear
y  ax2 2 quadratic
64
4 2 0 2 4x y  ax3 3 cubic
96 32 y  ax4 4 quartic
y  ax5 5 quintic

iii) y iv) y
160 4

128 2

96
4 2 0 2 4x
64 2

32 4

4 2 0 2 4x
32

v) y vi) y

8 4

6 2

4
4 2 0 2 4x
2 2

4
4 2 0 2 4x
2

1.1 Power Functions • MHR 5

 CONNECTIONS 2. a) R e f l e c t Decide whether each graph in step 1 represent a linear,
a quadratic, a cubic, a quartic, or a quintic function. Justify your answer.
Recall that a relation is a function
if for every x-value there is only b) R e f l e c t Explain why each graph in step 1 represents a function.
one y-value. The graph of a
3. a) State these key features for each graph:
relation represents a function
if it passes the vertical line test, i) the domain
that is, if a vertical line drawn ii) the range
anywhere along the graph
iii) the intercepts
intersects that graph at
no more than one point. b) Describe the end behaviour of each graph as

The end behaviour of the i) x → 

graph of a function is the ii) x → 
behaviour of the y-values as x
4. a) Which graphs have both ends extending upward in quadrants 1 and 2
increases (that is, as x approaches
positive infinity, written as (that is, start high and end high)?
x →  ) and as x decreases b) Decide whether each graph has line symmetry or point symmetry. Explain.
(that is, as x approaches negative c) R e f l e c t Describe how the graphs are similar. How are the equations
infinity, written as x →  ). similar?
5. a) Which graphs have one end extending downward in quadrant 3 (start
CONNECTIONS low) and the other end extending upward in quadrant 1 (end high)?
• A graph has line symmetry b) Decide whether each graph has line symmetry or point symmetry. Explain.
if there is a line x  a that
c) R e f l e c t Describe how the graphs are similar. How are the equations
divides the graph into two
parts such that each part is similar?
a reflection of the other in 6. R e f l e c t Summarize your findings for each group of power functions in
the line x  a. a table like this one.
xa Key Features of the Graph y  xn, n is odd y  xn, n is even
Domain
Range
Symmetry
End Behaviour

7. a) Graph the function y  xn for n  2, 4, and 6.

• A graph has point symmetry b) Describe the similarities and differences between the graphs.
about a point (a, b) if each
c) R e f l e c t Predict what will happen to the graph of y  xn for larger
part of the graph on one side
even values of n.
of (a, b) can be rotated 180° to
coincide with part of the graph d) Check your prediction in part c) by graphing two other functions
on the other side of (a, b). of this form.
8. a) Graph the function y  xn for n  1, 3, and 5.
b) Describe the similarities and differences between the graphs.
c) R e f l e c t Predict what will happen to the graph of y  xn for larger
a, b odd values of n.
d) Check your prediction in part c) by graphing two more functions
of this form.

6 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 1

 Example 1 Recognize Polynomial Functions
Determine which functions are polynomials. Justify your answer. State the
degree and the leading coefficient of each polynomial function.
a) g(x)  sin x
b) f(x)  2x4
c) y  x3  5x2  6x  8
d) g(x)  3x

Solution
a) g(x)  sin x
This a trigonometric function, not a polynomial function.
b) f(x)  2x4
This is a polynomial function of degree 4. The leading coefficient is 2.
c) y  x3  5x2  6x  8
This is a polynomial function of degree 3. The leading coefficient is 1.
d) g(x)  3x
This is not a polynomial function but an exponential function, since the
base is a number and the exponent is a variable.

Interval Notation
In this course, you will often describe the features of the graphs of a variety of
types of functions in relation to real-number values. Sets of real numbers may
be described in a variety of ways:

• as an inequality, 3  x  5

• in interval (or bracket) notation (3, 5]

⺢
4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

• graphically, on a number line

Intervals that are infinite are expressed using the symbol  (infinity) or 
(negative infinity).

Square brackets indicate that the end value is included in the interval, and
round brackets indicate that the end value is not included.

A round bracket is used at infinity since the symbol  means “without bound.”

1.1 Power Functions • MHR 7

 Below is a summary of all possible intervals for real numbers a and b, where a  b.
Bracket
Interval Inequality Number Line In Words
The set of all real numbers x such that
(a, b) axb
a b ⺢ x is greater than a and less than b

(a, b] axb x is greater than a and less than

a b ⺢
or equal to b
[a, b) axb x is greater than or equal to a and
a b ⺢ less than b

[a, b] axb x is greater than or equal to a and

a b ⺢
less than or equal to b
[a, ) xa
a ⺢ x is greater than or equal to a

(, a] xa
a ⺢ x is less than or equal to a

(a, ) x a
a ⺢ x is greater than a

(, a) xa ⺢ x is less than a

a

(, )   x  
⺢ x is an element of the real numbers

Connect the Equations and Features of the

Example 2
Graphs of Power Functions
For each function
i) state the domain and range
ii) describe the end behaviour
iii) identify any symmetry
a) y b) y
8 y  0.5x
2
4

2 6
y  x
4
4 2 0 2 4x
2 2

4
4 2 0 2 4x

y 2
c)
12

6
y  4x3

2 0 2 x

6

12

8 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 1

Solution
a) y  x
i) domain {x ∈ ⺢} or (, ); range {y ∈ ⺢} or (, )
ii) The graph extends from quadrant 4 to quadrant 2.
Thus, as x → , y → , and as x → , y → .
iii) The graph has point symmetry about the origin (0, 0).
b) y  0.5x2
i) domain {x ∈ ⺢} or (, ); range {y ∈ ⺢, y  0} or [0, )
ii) The graph extends from quadrant 2 to quadrant 1.
Thus, as x → , y → , and as x → , y → .
iii) The graph has line symmetry in the y-axis.
c) y  4x3
i) domain {x ∈ ⺢} or (, ); range {y ∈ ⺢} or (, )
ii) The graph extends from quadrant 3 to quadrant 1.
Thus, as x → , y → , and as x → , y → .
iii) The graph has point symmetry about the origin.

Example 3 Describe the End Behaviour of Power Functions

Write each function in the appropriate row of the second column of the
table. Give reasons for your choices.

y  2x y  5x6 y  3x2 y  x7
2 9
y  _x y  4x5 y  x10 y  0.5x8
5
End Behaviour Function Reasons
Extends from quadrant 3 to quadrant 1
Extends from quadrant 2 to quadrant 4
Extends from quadrant 2 to quadrant 1
Extends from quadrant 3 to quadrant 4

Solution
End Behaviour Function Reasons
Extends from quadrant 3 to quadrant 1 y  2x, y  x 7 odd exponent,
positive coefficient
2
Extends from quadrant 2 to quadrant 4 y   _ x 9, y  4x 5 odd exponent,
5 negative coefficient
Extends from quadrant 2 to quadrant 1 y  5x 6, y  x10 even exponent,
positive coefficient
Extends from quadrant 3 to quadrant 4 y  3x 2, y  0.5x 8 even exponent,
negative coefficient

1.1 Power Functions • MHR 9

 Example 4 Connecting Power Functions and Volume
Helium is pumped into a large spherical balloon Reasoning and Proving

designed to advertise a new product. The volume, Representing Selecting Tools

V, in cubic metres, of helium in the balloon is Problem Solving

given by the function V(r)  _4 πr 3, where r is the Connecting Reflecting

3 Communicating
radius of the balloon, in metres, and r ∈ [0, 5].
a) Graph V(r).
b) State the domain and range in this situation.
c) Describe the similarities and differences between the graph of V(r) and
the graph of y  x3.

Solution
a) Make a table of values, plot the points, and connect them using a
smooth curve.
4 V
V(r)  _ πr 3
3
r (m) (m3) 600

Volume (m3)
4
_
0 π(0)3  0 400
3
_4 200
1 π(1)3 ⬟ 4.2
3
4
_
2 π(2)3 ⬟ 33.5 0 1 2 3 4 5 r
3
Radius (m)
4
_
3 π(3)3 ⬟ 113.1
3
4
_
4 π(4)3 ⬟ 268.1
3
4
_
5 π(5)3 ⬟ 523.6
3

b) The domain is r ∈ [0, 5]. The range is approximately V ∈ [0, 523.6].

c) The graph of y  x3 is shown.
4 πr3
Similarities: The functions V(r)  _ y
3 400
and y  x3 are both cubic, with positive
200
leading coefficients. Both graphs pass y  x3
through the origin (0, 0) and have one
6 4 2 0 2 4 6x
end that extends upward in quadrant 1.
200
Differences: the graph of V(r) has a
restricted domain. Since the two functions 400
are both cubic power functions that have
different leading coefficients, all points on
each graph, other than (0, 0), are different.

10 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 1

< KEY CONCEPTS
>
A polynomial expression has the form
anxn  an  1xn  1  an  2xn  2  . . .  a3x3  a2x2  a1x  a0
where
• n is a whole number
• x is a variable
• the coefficients a0, a1, . . . , an are real numbers
• the degree of the function is n, the exponent of the greatest power of x
• an, the coefficient of the greatest power of x, is the leading coefficient
• a0, the term without a variable, is the constant term
A polynomial function has the form
f(x)  anxn  an  1xn  1  an  2xn  2  . . .  a2x2  a1x  a0
A power function is a polynomial of the form y  axn, where n is a
whole number.
Power functions have similar characteristics depending on whether their
degree is even or odd.
Even-degree power functions have line symmetry in the y-axis, x  0.
Odd-degree power functions have point symmetry about the origin, (0, 0).

Communicate Your Understanding

C1 Explain why the function y  3 is a polynomial function.
C2 How can you use a graph to tell whether the leading coefficient of a
power function is positive or negative?
C3 How can you use a graph to tell whether the degree of a power function
is even or odd?
C4 State a possible equation for a power function whose graph extends
a) from quadrant 3 to quadrant 1
b) from quadrant 2 to quadrant 1
c) from quadrant 2 to quadrant 4
d) from quadrant 3 to quadrant 4

A Practise
For help with questions 1 and 2, refer to Example 1. 2. State the degree and the leading coefficient
1. Identify whether each is a polynomial function. of each polynomial.
Justify your answer. a) y  5x4  3x3  4 b) y  x  2
a) p(x)  cos x b) h(x)  7x c) y  8x 2 x3  4x  3
d) y   _
4
c) f(x)  2x 4
d) y  3x  2x  x  1
5 3 2
e) y  5 f) y  x2  3x
e) k(x)  8 x
f) y  x3

1.1 Power Functions • MHR 11

For help with question 3, refer to Example 2. d) y

3. Consider each graph.

i) Does it represent a power function of
even degree? odd degree? Explain.
ii) State the sign of the leading coefficient. 0 x
Justify your answer.
iii) State the domain and range.
e) y
iv) Identify any symmetry.
v) Describe the end behaviour.
y 0 x
a)

0 x

For help with question 4, refer to Example 3.

4. Copy and complete the table for the following
y functions.
b) 3 x2
y  x3 y_ y  5x
7
y  4x5 y  x6 y  0.1x11
x
0 y  2x4 y  9x10

End Behaviour Function Reasons

Extends from quadrant 3 to quadrant 1
c) y
Extends from quadrant 2 to quadrant 4
Extends from quadrant 2 to quadrant 1
Extends from quadrant 3 to quadrant 4
0 x

B Connect and Apply

For help with questions 5 and 6, refer to Example 4. 6. The circumference, C, in kilometres, of the
5. As a tropical storm intensifies and reaches tropical storm in question 5 can be modelled
hurricane status, it takes on a circular shape that by the function C(r)  2πr.
expands outward from the eye of the storm. a) Graph C(r) for r ∈ [0, 10].
The area, A, in square kilometres, spanned b) State the domain and range.
by a storm with radius, r, in kilometres, can
c) Describe the similarities and differences
be modelled by the function A(r)  πr2.
between the graph of C(r) and the graph
a) Graph A(r) for r ∈ [0, 10]. of y  x.
b) State the domain and range.
c) Describe the similarities and differences
between the graph of A(r) and the graph
of y  x2.

12 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 1

7. Determine whether each graph represents a power g) y
function, an exponential function, a periodic
function, or none of these. Justify your choice.

CONNECTIONS
0 x
You worked with periodic functions when you studied trigonometric
functions in grade 11. Periodic functions repeat at regular intervals.
8. Use Technology Reasoning and Proving
a) y
a) Graph f(x)  x  x , 3 2 Representing Selecting Tools

g(x)  x3  x, and Problem Solving

h(x)  x3 on the Connecting Reflecting

0 x Communicating
same set of axes.
b) Compare and describe the key features of
the graphs of these functions.
y
b) 9. Use Technology
a) Graph f(x)  x4  x, g(x)  x4  x2, and
h(x)  x4 on the same set of axes.
b) Compare and describe the key features
0 x of the graphs of these functions.

c) y 10. Describe the similarities and differences

between the line y  x and power functions
with odd degree greater than one. Use graphs
to support your answer.
0 x
11. Describe the similarities and differences
between the parabola y  x2 and power
y functions with even degree greater than two.
d)
Use graphs to support your answer.
0 x
12. a) Graph the functions Reasoning and Proving

y  x , y  x  2,
3 3 Representing Selecting Tools

and y  x  2 on
3 Problem Solving

the same set of axes. Connecting Reflecting

Communicating
y Compare the graphs.
e)
Describe how the graphs
are related.
b) Repeat part a) for the functions y  x4,
y  x4  2, and y  x4  2.
0 x
c) Make a conjecture about the relationship
between the graphs of y  xn and y  xn  c,
f) y
where c ∈ ⺢ and n is a whole number.
d) Test the accuracy of your conjecture for
different values of n and c.
0 x

1.1 Power Functions • MHR 13

13. Chapter Problem Part of a computer graphic Describe the type(s) of power function(s) that
designer’s job may be to create and manipulate could be used to design two of the following
electronic images found in video games. Power in a new video game. Provide equations and
functions define curves that are useful in the sketches of your functions. Include the domain
design of characters, objects, and background and range of the functions you use.
scenery. Domain restrictions allow two or more • the path of a river that extends from the
curves to be combined to create a particular southwest to the northeast part of a
form. For example, a character’s eye could large forest
be created using parabolas with restricted
• the cross-section of a valley that lies between
domains.
two mountain ranges
• a deep canyon where the river flows
• characters’ facial expressions
• a lightning bolt
• horseshoe tracks in the sand

C Extend and Challenge

14. Use Technology 16. a) Describe the relationship between the graph
a) Graph each pair of functions. What do you of y ⫽ x2 and the graph of y ⫽ 2(x ⫺ 3)2 ⫹ 1.
notice? Provide an algebraic explanation b) Predict the relationship between the graph
for what you observe. of y ⫽ x4 and the graph of y ⫽ 2(x ⫺ 3)4 ⫹ 1.
i) y ⫽ (⫺x)2 and y ⫽ x2 c) Verify the accuracy of your prediction by
ii) y ⫽ (⫺x) and y ⫽ x
4 4 sketching the graphs in part b).
iii) y ⫽ (⫺x)6 and y ⫽ x6 17. a) Use the results of question 16 to predict a
b) Repeat part a) for each of the following relationship between the graph of y ⫽ x3
pairs of functions. and the graph of y ⫽ a(x ⫺ h)3 ⫹ k.
i) y ⫽ (⫺x)3 and y ⫽ ⫺x3 b) Verify the accuracy of your prediction in
part a) by sketching two functions of the
ii) y ⫽ (⫺x)5 and y ⫽ ⫺x5
form y ⫽ a(x ⫺ h)3 ⫹ k.
iii) y ⫽ (⫺x)7 and y ⫽ ⫺x7
18. Math Contest Determine the number of digits
c) Describe what you have learned about
in the expansion of (2120)(5125) without using a
functions of the form y ⫽ (⫺x)n, where n
calculator or computer.
is a non-negative integer. Support your
answer with examples. 19. Math Contest Find the coordinates of the
two points that trisect the line segment with
15. a) Make a conjecture about the relationship
endpoints A(2, 3) and B(8, 2).
between the graphs of y ⫽ xn and y ⫽ axn
for a ∈ ⺢.
b) Test your conjecture using different values
of n and a.

14 MHR • Advanced Functions • Chapter 1