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02 Characteristics of Polynomial Functions

characteristics of functions unit 1

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22 views2 pages

02 Characteristics of Polynomial Functions

characteristics of functions unit 1

Uploaded by

adiamberstone
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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MHF4U – Advanced Functions Day 2

Unit 3 – Polynomial Functions

Characteristics of Polynomial Functions

Terminology

End behavior is a description of the values of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 → −∞ or 𝑥 → ∞.


i.e. what are the 𝑦-values of the graph approaching as 𝑥 approaches −∞ and as 𝑥 approaches ∞?

Example 1
Describe the end behavior for each function.
(a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 1 (b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥

A turning point is a point on a curve where the function changes from increasing to decreasing, or vice versa.

The absolute maximum/minimum is the greatest/least value attained by the function for all values in its
domain.
INVESTIGATING THE GRAPHS OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Copy and complete the following table. Use Desmos (https://www.desmos.com) to graph each of the
polynomial functions.
Note: Adjust the window settings so that the intervals −5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5 and −8 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 8 are on the axes.

Sketch of Leading End Behaviours Number of Number


Polynomial Function Degree
Graph Coefficient 𝑥→∞ 𝑥 → −∞ Turning Points of Zeros
𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 1
𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 + 5
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 2
𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 − 1
𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 − 1
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 6 𝑥 − 2
𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 4 𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 − 1
𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 4 − 3
𝑓(𝑥) = 0.05𝑥 5 − 0.1𝑥 4 − 0.65𝑥 3 + 0.7𝑥 2 + 1.2𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 6 − 6𝑥 4 + 9𝑥 2 + 0.5𝑥 − 5

2. Make a conjecture about the end behaviour of a function with degree that is
(a) even
(b) odd

3. Make a conjecture about the end behaviour of a function with degree that is
(a) even and has a positive leading coefficient
(b) even and has a negative leading coefficient
(c) odd and has a positive leading coefficient
(d) odd and has a negative leading coefficient

4. What do you think is the maximum number of turning points that a polynomial of degree 𝑛 can have?

5. What do you think is the minimum number of turning points that a polynomial of degree 𝑛 can have?

6. Why must all polynomial functions of even degree have an absolute maximum or absolute minimum?

7. How can you tell from an equation whether a polynomial function of even degree will have an absolute
maximum or absolute minimum?

8. Why must all polynomial functions of odd degree have at least one zero?

9. Can the graph of a polynomial function have no zeros? Explain.

Suggested Exercises
Pages 136-138 # 1-8

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