I.

Topic: Chapter 5: POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

5.4 Graphs of Polynomial Function

5.5 Applications

Reporter: Mana-it, Jenicel T.

Course: MaEd-Mathematics

Subject: Advance Algebra and Trigonometry (Math 205)

II. Objectives
 State the steps in graphing polynomial functions.

Graph polynomial functions.

Knows the importance of polynomial function in real – life situation.

III. Introduction

A polynomial function is a function such as a quadratic, a cubic, a quartic, and

so on, involving only non-negative integer powers of x. We can give a general
definition of a polynomial and define its degree.

IV. Discussion/Illustrative Example

Graphs of Polynomial Function

How do we describe the graphs of polynomial function?

Two important features of the graphs of polynomial functions that are

smooth and continuous. By smooth, we mean that the graph contains only
rounded curves with no sharp corners. By continuous, we mean that the graph has
no breaks and can be drawn without lifting your pencil from the rectangular
coordinate system.

Evaluating Polynomial Functions

Here is a summary of common types of polynomial functions:

How to graph a polynomial function?

1. Determine the graph’s end behavior.

2. Determine the turning points.
3. Determine the number of zeroes.
4. Determine the possible positive and negative zeroes.
5. Identify the zeroes of the given polynomial function.
6. Make a table of values and locate the zeroes in the table.
7. Graph the polynomial function using the information gathered from step1 to 6.

1. Determine the graph’s end behavior.

 Leading Term-is the term that the variable has its highest exponent.

 Leading Coefficient- is the coefficient (numerical) on the leading term.

 Degree of a Polynomial Function - when the polynomial function is

written in standard form, the degree of polynomial is n (the highest
exponent).

For EVEN n, degree of Polynomial

Positive Coefficient (<0 ) Negative Coefficient (>0 )

The graph RISES to the left and to the right. The graph FALLS to the left and to the
right.

For ODD n, degree of Polynomial

Positive Coefficient (<0 ) Negative Coefficient (>0 )

The graph FALLS to the left and RISES to The graph RISES to the left and
the right. FALLS to the right.

Example:
Answer:

The leading coefficient is a positive number (2) and the degree of the
polynomial is an odd number (3).
Therefore, the graph falls to the left and rises to the right.

2. Determine the turning points.

 Turning point- is a point at which the graph changes direction.

If f is a polynomial function of degree n, then there is atmost n-1 turning points on
the graph of f(x).

How many turning points will this function would have?

Answer:
The degree of the Polynomial n=3. So, n-1 or 3-1=2.
Therefore, there are 2 turning points.

3. Determine the number of zeroes

Number of Zeroes Theorem states that every polynomial function of a degree n≥1
has exactly n zeroes.

Example: f(x)=2x3-x2-2x+1

How many zeroes this function will have?

Answer:
The degree of the Polynomial n=3. Therefore, there are 3 zeroes.

4. Determine the possible positive and negative zeroes/s.

Applying Descartes Rule of Sign

Let p(x)=0 be a polynomial function with real coefficients, the leading

coefficient an>0, with descending powers of x. The number of positive zeroes
p(x)=0 is either equal to the number of variations in signs in p(x), or less than that
number by an even counting number.
The number of negative zeroes p(x)=0 is either equal to the number of variations
in signs in p(-x), or less than that number by an even counting number.

Answer:
The function is of the 3rd degree. It has three zeroes.
f(x): + - - + 2 variations
F(-x): - - + + 1 variation

This suggest that there are 2 positive zeroes and 1 negative zero in the given
function.

5. Identify the zeroes of the polynomial function.

Look for the possible zeroes of the given function by [initial] factoring, synthetic
division or by a trial and error.

Equate it to zero (0)

For (-x-1)
-x-1=0
-x = 1
-1 -1
x=-1

For (x-1)
x-1=0
x=1
x=1

Hence,-1 and 1 are zeroes of the polynomial function f(x)=2x3-x2-2x+1.

6. Make a table of values and locate the zeroes in the table.

Bound of Zeroes Theorem

Suppose f(x), a polynomial function, is divided by x-c using synthetic

division,
i.If c>0 and the entries in the third line are positive, some may be zero, then c is
an upper bound of the zeroes of f(x).
ii. If c<0 and the entries in the 3rd line are alternating in signs, then c is a lower
bound of the zeroes of f(x).

The numbers that are associated to the limits of bounds are referred to as upper
bound and lower bound.
Upper bound of the zero/root- is any number which is greater than or
equal to the largest zero of a polynomial function.
Lower bound of the zero/root- is any number which is less than or equal to
the smallest zero of a polynomial function.

Evaluate:

f(-1/2)= 2(-1/2)3-(-1/2)2-2(-1/2)+1
=2(-1/8)-1/4-(-1)+1
= -1/4-1/4+1+1
=-1/2+1+1
=1/2+1
=1 ½ or 1.5

f(-2)= 2(-2)3-(-2)2-2(-2)+1
=2(-8)-4-(-4)+1
= -16-4+4+1
=-20+4+1
=-16+1
=-15

f(0)= 2(0)3-(0)2-2(0)+1
=2(0)-0-(0)+1
= 0-0+0+1
=1

f(2)= 2(2)3-(2)2-2(2)+1
=2(8)-4-(4)+1
= 16-4-4+1
=12-4+1
=8+1
=9

7. Graph the polynomial function using the information gathered from step1 to 6.
 Data gathered in steps 1 to 5:
The graph falls to the left and rises to the right.
There are 2 turning points.
There are 3 zeroes/roots.
The largest lower integral bound is -2 and the smallest higher integral bound is 2.
The values of x and y are shown in the table.

The graph looks like this.

Applications of Polynomial Functions in Real-life

Polynomials appear in a wide variety of areas of mathematics and science.

For example, they are used to form polynomial equations which encode a wide
range of problems from elementary word problems to complicated problems in
the sciences, they are used to define polynomial functions , which appear in
settings ranging from basic chemistry and physics to economics and social
science; they are used in calculus and numerical analysis to approximate other
functions in advanced mathematics. Although many of us don’t realize it, people
in all sort of professions use polynomials every day.

V. Exercises
1. Graph the given polynomial function: g(x)=-x5+15x3+10x2-24x.

Solution:
Create a table of values and assign values of x to solve for the values of y.

The table reveals the following information:

The 5 zeroes of f(x) are -3, -2, 0, 1, and 4.
The y-intercept is 0.

Since n=5 and an=-1, therefore the graph rises to the left and falls to the right.

The graph looks like this.

2. Graph the given polynomial function: f(x)=x4+2x3-5x2-6x.

Solution:

The table reveals the following information:

The zeroes of f(x) are -3, -1, 0, and 2.
The y-intercept is 0.
 Since n=4 and an=1, therefore the graph rises to the left and right.

The graph looks like this,

VI. Assessment

1. Which of the following is not a zero of f(x)=x (x+3) (x-1) (2x+1)?

a. 0 b -1 c. -3 d. -1/2

2. How do you define the turning points of the graph of polynomial

functions?
a. (n-1)180
b. (N+1)
c. n-1
d. N+2

3. Your classmate Linus encounters difficulties in showing a sketch of the graph

of y=2x3+3x2-4x-6. You know that the quickest technique is the Leading
Coefficient Test. You want to help Linus in his problem. What hint or clue should
you give?
a. The graph falls to the left and rises to the right
b. The graph rises to both left and right.
c. The graph rises to the left and falls to the right.
d. The graph falls to both left and right.

4. How will you describe the graph of a polynomial function?

a. The graph of a polynomial function is smooth and continuous.
b. The graph of a polynomial function is a straight line.
c. The graph of a polynomial function is curve line.
d. All of the above.
 5. What is the degree of the polynomial function P(x)=3x4-7x2-2x7-x+4?
a. 4
b. 7
c. 2
d. 1

6. What are the x-intercepts of the polynomial y = 3 (x + 4) (x + 1) (x - 3)?

a. -4, -1, 3
b. 3, -3, 4, 1
c. 4, 1, -3
d. 3, -4, -1, 3

7. Graph the polynomial function on a graphing calculator. Describe the graph,

and identify the number of real zeros.
a. From left to right, the graph alternately increases and decreases, changing
direction two times. It crosses the x-axis three times, so there appear to be three
real zeros.
b. From left to right, the graph increases and then decreases. It crosses the x-axis
twice, so there appear to be two real zeros.
c. From left to right, the graph alternately increases and decreases, changing
direction three times. It crosses the x-axis four times, so there appear to be four
real zeros.
d. From left to right, the graph alternately increases and decreases, changing
direction three times. It crosses the x-axis two times, so there appear to be two
real zeros.

8. What is the degree of a quadratic function?

A. 0 B. 1 C.2 D. 3

9. The growth of a tree can be modelled by the function h(t) = 2.3t – 0.45 where h
represents the height in metres and t represents the time in years. Approximately
how long will it take the tree to grow 32 m tall?
A. 13 years B. 14 years C. 15 years D. 16 years

10. The distance a marathon runner covers can be modelled by the function d(t) =
153.8t + 86 where d represents the distance in metres and t represents the time in
minutes. Approximately how far has she run after the first hour?
A. 93 km B. 3 km C. 14 km D. 9 km

VII. Answer Key

1. B 6. A
2. C 7. D
3. C 8. C
4. C 9. B
 5. A 10. D

VIII. References

https://openstax.org./details/books/precalculus
https://byjus.com/maths/polynomial-functions/
Basic knowledge of polynomial functions (Algebra 2, Polynomial functions) –
Mathplanet5.6: Zeros of Polynomial Functions - Mathematics LibreTexts
5Applications of Polynomials - Mathematics LibreTexts
Mathematics Learner’s Module 10
Next Century Mathematics 10