Math 111 Lecture Notes
Section 3.1: Polynomial Functions
A power function is of the form f (x) = an xn where an is a real number and n is a non-negative
integer.
A polynomial function is of the form
f (x) = an xn + an−1 xn−1 + · · · + a1 x + a0
where an , an−1 , . . . , a1 , a0 are real numbers and n is a non-negative integer.
The leading term is an xn . This determines the long-run behavior of the function.
The degree of the polynomial is n.
Basic Power Functions
Figure Figure Figure Figure
1. y = x2 2. y = x3 3. y = x4 4. y = x5
8 8 8 8
y y y y
4 4 4 4
x x x x
−8 −4 4 8 −8 −4 4 8 −8 −4 4 8 −8 −4 4 8
−4 −4 −4 −4
−8 −8 −8 −8
Basic Power Functions (close up)
Figure 5. Even Powers Figure 6. Odd Powers
2 2
y y
1 1
x x
−2 −1 1 2 −2 −1 1 2
−1 −1
y = x2 y = x3
y= x4 y = x5
y= x6 y = x7
−2 −2
1
Math 111 Lecture Notes Section 3.1
General Polynomial Functions
Figure 7 Figure 8
y y
x x
• Degree: • Degree:
• Max. # of zeros: • Max. # of zeros:
• Max. # of turning points: • Max. # of turning points:
Figure 9 Figure 10
y y
x x
• Degree: • Degree:
• Max. # of zeros: • Max. # of zeros:
• Max. # of turning points: • Max. # of turning points:
A polynomial function f has a real zero r if and only if (x − r) is a factor of f (x).
If r is a zero of even multiplicity, then the factor (x − r) occurs an even number of times.
The graph then looks like the graph of an even power function at that zero. Hence the function
“bounces” there.
If r is a zero of odd multiplicity, then the factor (x − r) occurs an odd number of times. The
graph then looks like the graph of an odd power function at that zero. Hence, if (x − r) occurs
once, the function passes “straight through” at that zero and if (x − r) occurs any other odd
number of time, the function “flattens” there.
Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 2 of 8
Math 111 Lecture Notes Section 3.1
Example 1. Let f (x) = 4x(x − 7)2 (x + 1)5 (x + 2)3 . Determine the following:
(a) the zeros and their respective multiplicities
(b) the degree and long-run behavior
Example 2. Graph the polynomial function defined by f (x) = − 21 (x − 2)(x + 4) by finding the
following: the degree of the polynomial, the long run behavior, the maximum number of turning
points, the horizontal and vertical intercepts, and the zeros and their multiplicity.
Figure 11
y
6
x
−6 −4 −2 2 4 6
−2
−4
−6
Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 3 of 8
Math 111 Lecture Notes Section 3.1
Example 3. Graph the polynomial function defined by f (x) = 41 (x + 1)2 (x + 2)(x − 5) by finding
the following: the degree of the polynomial, the long run behavior, the maximum number of turning
points, the horizontal and vertical intercepts, and the zeros and their multiplicity.
Figure 12
y
6
x
−6 −4 −2 2 4 6
−2
−4
−6
Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 4 of 8
Math 111 Lecture Notes Section 3.1
Example 4. Graph the polynomial function defined by f (x) = − 12 x(x + 3)(x − 2)3 by finding the
following: the degree of the polynomial, the long run behavior, the maximum number of turning
points, the horizontal and vertical intercepts, and the zeros and their multiplicity.
Figure 13
y
6
x
−6 −4 −2 2 4 6
−2
−4
−6
Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 5 of 8
Math 111 Lecture Notes Section 3.1
Example 5. Find a possible formula for the polynomial function graphed in Figure 14 using the
zeros and their multiplicities.
Figure 14
y
6
x
−6 −4 −2 2 4 6
−2
−4
−6
Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 6 of 8
Math 111 Lecture Notes Section 3.1
Example 6. Find a possible formula for the polynomial function graphed in Figure 15 using the
zeros and their multiplicities.
Figure 15
y
6
x
−6 −4 −2 2 4 6
−2
−4
−6
Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 7 of 8
Math 111 Lecture Notes Section 3.1
Example 7. Find a possible formula for the polynomial function graphed in Figure 16 using the
zeros and their multiplicities.
Figure 16
y
8
2
x
−4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4
−2
−4
−6
−8
Instructor: A.E.Cary Page 8 of 8
