TEKS

5.8
2A.4.B; P.1.D,
Analyze Graphs of
Polynomial Functions
P.1.E, P.3.B

Before You graphed polynomial functions by making tables.

Now You will use intercepts to graph polynomial functions.
Why? So you can maximize the volume of structures, as in Ex. 42.

Key Vocabulary In this chapter you have learned that zeros, factors, solutions, and x-intercepts
• local maximum are closely related concepts. The relationships are summarized below.
• local minimum
CONCEPT SUMMARY For Your Notebook
Zeros, Factors, Solutions, and Intercepts
Let f (x) 5 an x n 1 an 2 1x n 2 1 1 . . . 1 a1x 1 a0 be a polynomial function.
The following statements are equivalent.

Zero: k is a zero of the polynomial function f.

Factor: x 2 k is a factor of the polynomial f(x).

Solution: k is a solution of the polynomial equation f (x) 5 0.

x-intercept: If k is a real number, k is an x-intercept of the graph of the

polynomial function f. The graph of f passes through (k, 0).

EXAMPLE 1 Use x-intercepts to graph a polynomial function

1 (x 1 3)(x 2 2)2 .
Graph the function f (x) 5 }
6
Solution
STEP 1 Plot the intercepts. Because 23 and 2 y
are zeros of f, plot (23, 0) and (2, 0).
STEP 2 Plot points between and beyond the 1
x-intercepts. (23, 0) 1 (2, 0) x

x 22 21 0 1 3
8 2
y } 3 2 } 1
3 3

STEP 3 Determine end behavior. Because f has three factors of the form x 2 k
1 , it is a cubic function with a positive leading
and a constant factor of }
6
coefficient. So, f(x) → 2` as x → 2` and f(x) → 1` as x → 1`.
STEP 4 Draw the graph so that it passes through the plotted points and has the
appropriate end behavior.

5.8 Analyze Graphs of Polynomial Functions 387

 TURNING POINTS Another important characteristic of graphs of polynomial
functions is that they have turning points corresponding to local maximum and
minimum values.
• The y-coordinate of a turning point is a y
local maximum of the function if the point is local
higher than all nearby points. maximum

• The y-coordinate of a turning point is a x

local minimum of the function if the point is local
lower than all nearby points. minimum

KEY CONCEPT For Your Notebook

Turning Points of Polynomial Functions
1. The graph of every polynomial function of degree n has at most n 2 1
turning points.
2. If a polynomial function has n distinct real zeros, then its graph has
exactly n 2 1 turning points.

EXAMPLE 2 Find turning points

Graph the function. Identify the x-intercepts and the points where the
local maximums and local minimums occur.
a. f(x) 5 x 3 2 3x2 1 6 b. g(x) 5 x 4 2 6x 3 1 3x2 1 10x 2 3

Solution
a. Use a graphing calculator to graph the function.
FIND MAXIMUMS Notice that the graph of f has one x-intercept
AND MINIMUMS and two turning points.
For help with using the
You can use the graphing calculator’s
maximum and minimum
zero, maximum, and minimum features to Maximum
features of a graphing
approximate the coordinates of the points. X=0 Y=6
calculator, see p. 244.
c The x-intercept of the graph is x ø 21.20. The
function has a local maximum at (0, 6) and a
local minimum at (2, 2).
b. Use a graphing calculator to graph the function.
Notice that the graph of g has four x-intercepts
and three turning points.
You can use the graphing calculator’s
zero, maximum, and minimum features to Minimum
approximate the coordinates of the points. X=0.569071 Y=-6.50858

c The x-intercepts of the graph are x ø 21.14,

x ø 0.29, x ø 1.82, and x ø 5.03. The function
has a local maximum at (1.11, 5.11) and local
minimums at (20.57, 26.51) and (3.96, 243.04).
"MHFCSB at classzone.com

388 Chapter 5 Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

 EXAMPLE 3 Maximize a polynomial model
ARTS AND CRAFTS You are making a rectangular box out of a 16-inch-by-20-inch
piece of cardboard. The box will be formed by making the cuts shown in the
diagram and folding up the sides. You want the box to have the greatest volume
possible.
• How long should you make the cuts?
• What is the maximum volume?
• What will the dimensions of the finished box be?
X X
X X

IN

X X
X X
IN

Solution
Write a verbal model for the volume. Then write a function.

Volume Length Width Height

5 p p
(cubic inches) (inches) (inches) (inches)

V 5 (20 2 2x) p (16 2 2x) p x

5 (320 2 72x 1 4x2)x Multiply binomials.
3 2
5 4x 2 72x 1 320x Write in standard form.

To find the maximum volume, graph the volume

function on a graphing calculator, as shown at the
right. Consider only the interval 0 < x < 8 because
this describes the physical restrictions on the size
of the flaps.
From the graph, you can see that the maximum Maximum
X=2.944950 Y=420.1104
volume is about 420 and occurs when x ø 2.94.
c You should make the cuts about 3 inches long.
The maximum volume is about 420 cubic inches. The dimensions of the box
with this volume will be about x 5 3 inches by x 5 10 inches by x 5 14 inches.

✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 1, 2, and 3

Graph the function. Identify the x-intercepts and the points where the local
maximums and local minimums occur.
1. f(x) 5 0.25(x 1 2)(x 2 1)(x 2 3) 2. g(x) 5 2(x 2 1)2(x 2 4)
3. h(x) 5 0.5x 3 1 x 2 2 x 1 2 4. f(x) 5 x4 1 3x 3 2 x 2 2 4x 2 5

5. WHAT IF? In Example 3, how do the answers change if the piece of

cardboard is 10 inches by 15 inches?

5.8 Analyze Graphs of Polynomial Functions 389

 5.8 EXERCISES HOMEWORK
KEY
5 WORKED-OUT SOLUTIONS
on p. WS1 for Exs. 3, 19, and 41
5 TAKS PRACTICE AND REASONING
Exs. 21, 30, 32, 33, 43, 45, and 46
5 MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS
Ex. 42

SKILL PRACTICE
1. VOCABULARY Copy and complete: A local maximum or local minimum of a
polynomial function occurs at a ? point of the function’s graph.

★ WRITING Explain what a local maximum of a function is and how it may

2. WRITING
be different from the maximum value of the function.

EXAMPLE 1 GRAPHING POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS Graph the function.

on p. 387 3. f(x) 5 (x 2 2)2 (x 1 1) 4. f (x) 5 (x 1 1)2 (x 2 1)(x 2 3)
for Exs. 3–14
1 (x 2 5)(x 1 2)(x 2 3)
5. g(x) 5 } 1 (x 1 4)(x 1 8)(x 2 1)
6. h(x) 5 }
3 12
7. h(x) 5 4(x 1 1)(x 1 2)(x 2 1) 8. f (x) 5 0.2(x 2 4)2 (x 1 1)2
9. f(x) 5 2(x 1 2)2 (x 1 4)2 10. h(x) 5 5(x 2 1)(x 2 2)(x 2 3)
2
11. g(x) 5 (x 2 3)(x 1 x 1 1) 12. h(x) 5 (x 2 4)(2x 2 2 2x 1 1)

ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and correct the error in graphing f.

13. f(x) 5 (x 1 2)(x 2 1)2 14. f (x) 5 x(x 2 3) 3

y y
1
1 x

1
1 x

EXAMPLE 2 ANALYZING GRAPHS Estimate the coordinates of each turning point and state
on p. 388 whether each corresponds to a local maximum or a local minimum. Then
for Exs. 15–30 estimate all real zeros and determine the least degree the function can have.
15. y 16. y 17. y
1 x 2 x
2 21 21

3 x

18. y 19. y 20. y

2 x
21 10
1
4x
2 x

390 Chapter 5 Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

 21. ★ MULTIPLE CHOICE Which point is a local maximum of the function
TAKS REASONING
f(x) 5 0.25(x 1 2)(x 2 1)2 ?
A (22, 0) B (21, 1) C (1, 0) D (2, 1)

GRAPHING CALCULATOR Use a graphing calculator to graph the polynomial

function. Identify the x-intercepts and the points where the local maximums
and local minimums occur.
22. f (x) 5 2x 3 1 8x2 2 3 23. g(x) 5 0.5x 3 2 2x 1 2.5
24. h(x) 5 2x4 1 3x 25. f (x) 5 x5 2 4x 3 1 x2 1 2
26. g(x) 5 x4 2 3x 2 1 x 27. h(x) 5 x4 2 5x 3 1 2x2 1 x 2 3
28. h(x) 5 x5 1 2x2 2 17x 2 4 29. g(x) 5 0.7x4 2 8x 3 1 5x

30. ★ MULTIPLE CHOICE What is a turning point of the graph of the function
TAKS REASONING
g(x) 5 x4 2 9x2 1 4x 1 12?
A (23, 0) B (21, 0) C (0, 12) D (2, 0)

31. REASONING Why is the adjective local used to describe the maximums and
minimums of cubic functions but not quadratic functions?

32. ★ SHORT RESPONSE Does a cubic function always, sometimes, or never have
TAKS REASONING
a turning point? Justify your answer.

33. ★ OPEN-ENDED MATH Write a cubic function, a quartic function, and a fifth-
TAKS REASONING
degree function whose graphs have x-intercepts only at x 5 22, 0, and 4.

DOMAIN AND RANGE Graph the function. Then identify its domain and range.

34. f (x) 5 x(x 2 3)2 35. f (x) 5 x 2 (x 2 2)(x 2 4)(x 2 5)

36. f (x) 5 (x 1 1) 3 (x 2 1) 37. f (x) 5 (x 1 2)(x 1 1)(x 2 1)2 (x 2 2)2

38. CHALLENGE In general, what can you say about the domain and range of
odd-degree polynomial functions? What can you say about the domain and
range of even-degree polynomial functions?

PROBLEM SOLVING
EXAMPLE 3 In Exercises 39 and 40, assume that the box is constructed using the method
on p. 389 illustrated in Example 3 on page 389.
for Exs. 39–40
39. POSTCARDS Marcie wants to make a box to hold her postcard collection
from a piece of cardboard that is 10 inches by 18 inches. What are the
dimensions of the box with the maximum volume? What is the maximum
volume of the box?
5&9"4 GPS
QSPCMFN
TPMWJOH
IFMQ
BU
DMBTT[POFDPN
GPS
QSPCMFN
TPMWJOH
IFMQ
BU
DMBTT[POFDPN

40. COIN COLLECTION Jorge is making a box for his coin collection from a
piece of cardboard that is 30 centimeters by 40 centimeters. What are the
dimensions of the box with the maximum volume? What is the maximum
volume of the box?
5&9"4 GPS
QSPCMFN
TPMWJOH
IFMQ
BU
DMBTT[POFDPN
GPS
QSPCMFN
TPMWJOH
IFMQ
BU
DMBTT[POFDPN

5.8 Analyze Graphs of Polynomial Functions 391

 41. SWIMMING For a swimmer doing the breaststroke, the function
S 5 2241t 7 1 1060t 6 2 1870t 5 1 1650t 4 2 737t 3 1 144t 2 2 2.43t
models the swimmer’s speed S (in meters per second) during one complete
stroke, where t is the number of seconds since the start of the stroke. Graph
the function. According to the model, at what time during the stroke is the
swimmer going the fastest?

42. MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS You have 600 square feet of material for
building a greenhouse that is shaped like half a cylinder.
a. Writing an Expression The surface area S of the greenhouse is
given by S 5 πr 2 1 πrl. Substitute 600 for S and then write an
expression for l in terms of r.
b. Writing a Function The volume V of the greenhouse is given
1 πr 2l. Write an equation that gives V as a polynomial
by V 5 }
2
function of r alone. r
c. Graphing a Function Graph the volume function from part (b). l
What are the dimensions r and l that maximize the volume
of the greenhouse? What is the maximum volume?

43. ★ EXTENDED RESPONSE From 1960 to 2001, the number of students S (in
TAKS REASONING
thousands) enrolled in public schools in the United States can be modeled
by S 5 1.64x3 2 102x2 1 1710x 1 36,300 where x is the number of years
since 1960.
a. Graph the function.
b. Identify any turning points on the domain 0 ≤ x ≤ 41. What real-life
meaning do these points have?
c. What is the range of the function?

44. CHALLENGE A cylinder is inscribed in a sphere of radius 8. Write an

equation for the volume of the cylinder as a function of h. Find the 8 h
value of h that maximizes the volume of the inscribed cylinder.
What is the maximum volume of the cylinder?

TAKS PRACTICE at classzone.com

M IXED R EVIEW FOR TAKS
REVIEW 45. TAKS PRACTICE A painter is repainting a spherical section of a sculpture.
TAKS Preparation Which measure would be most useful in determining the amount of paint
p. 608; the painter needs to buy? TAKS Obj. 10
TAKS Workbook
A Radius B Circumference
C Volume D Surface area

REVIEW 46. TAKS PRACTICE Which equation is the parent y

3
Lesson 4.1; function of the graph represented? TAKS Obj. 2
2
TAKS Workbook
F y5x G y 5 ⏐x⏐ 1
23 22 2 3x
H y 5 x2 J y 5 x3

23

392 Chapter 5 EXTRA PRACTICE

Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
for Lesson 5.8, p. 1014 ONLINE QUIZ at classzone.com