4.

1 Objective:
Students will look at polynomial functions of
degree greater than 2, approximate the
zeros, and interpret graphs.
Remember integers are … –2, -1, 0, 1, 2 … (no decimals
or fractions) so positive integers would be 0, 1, 2 …

A polynomial function is a function of the form:

n must be a positive integer

All of these coefficients are real numbers

The degree of the polynomial is the largest

power on any x term in the polynomial.
Determine which of the following are polynomial
functions. If the function is a polynomial, state its
degree.
A polynomial of degree 4.
We can write in an x0 since this = 1.
0
x A polynomial of degree 0.

Not a polynomial because of the

square root since the power is NOT
an integer

Not a polynomial because of the x in

the denominator since the power is
negative
 Graphs of polynomials are smooth and continuous.

No sharp corners or cusps No gaps or holes, can be drawn

without lifting pencil from paper

This IS the graph This IS NOT the graph

of a polynomial of a polynomial
 Let’s look at the graph of where n is an
even integer.

and grows
steeper on either
side

Notice each graph

looks similar to x2 The higher the
but is wider and power, the flatter
flatter near the and steeper
origin between –1
and 1
 Let’s look at the graph of where n is an odd
integer.

Notice each graph and grows

looks similar to x3 steeper on
but is wider and either side
flatter near the
origin between –1
and 1

The higher the

power, the flatter
and steeper
Let’s graph
Translates up 2

Reflects about Looks like x2

the x-axis but wider near
origin and
steeper after 1
and -1

So as long as the function

is a transformation of xn,
we can graph it, but what if
it’s not? We’ll learn some
techniques to help us
determine what the graph
looks like in the next slides.
 and
LEFT RIGHT

HAND BEHAVIOUR OF A GRAPH

The degree of the polynomial along with the sign of the

coefficient of the term with the highest power will tell us
about the left and right hand behaviour of a graph.
Even degree polynomials rise on both the left and
right hand sides of the graph (like x2) if the coefficient
is positive. The additional terms may cause the
graph to have some turns near the center but will
always have the same left and right hand behaviour
determined by the highest powered term.

left hand right hand

behaviour: rises behaviour: rises
 Even degree polynomials fall on both the left and
right hand sides of the graph (like - x2) if the
coefficient is negative.

turning points
in the middle

left hand
behaviour: falls right hand
behaviour: falls
 Odd degree polynomials fall on the left and rise on
the right hand sides of the graph (like x3) if the
coefficient is positive.

turning Points
in the middle right hand
behaviour: rises

left hand
behaviour: falls
 Odd degree polynomials rise on the left and fall on
the right hand sides of the graph (like x3) if the
coefficient is negative.
turning points
in the middle

left hand
behaviour: rises

right hand
behaviour: falls
 A polynomial of degree n can have at most n-1 turning
points (so whatever the degree is, subtract 1 to get
the most times the graph could turn).
Let’s determine left and right hand behaviour for the
graph of the function: doesn’t mean it has that many
turning points but that’s the most
it can have

degree is 4 which is even and the coefficient is positive so the

graph will look like x2 looks off to the left and off to the right.

The graph can How do we

have at most 3 determine
turning points what it looks
like near the
middle?
 x and y intercepts would be useful and we know how to
find those. To find the y intercept we put 0 in for x.

To find the x intercept we put 0 in for y.

Finally we need a smooth (0,30)

curve through the
intercepts that has the
correct left and right hand
behavior. To pass through
these points, it will have 3
turns (one less than the degree
so that’s okay)
We found the x intercept by putting 0 in for f(x) or y (they
are the same thing remember). So we call the x intercepts
the zeros of the polynomial since it is where it = 0. These
are also called the roots of the polynomial.
4.2 Dividing
Polynomials

© 2002 by Shawna Haider

 4.2 Properties of Division
Objective: We will learn how to use synthetic
division which will help us in finding
imaginary roots of polynomial functions.
 Dividing by a Monomial
If the divisor only has one term, split the polynomial up into a
fraction for each term.

divisor

Now reduce each fraction.

3x3 4x2 x 2

1 1 1 1
 Long Division
If the divisor has more than one term, perform long division. You do the
same steps with polynomial division as with integers. Let's do two
problems, one with integers you know how to do and one with polynomials
and copy the steps.
21 Now multiply by x + 11
the divisor and
32 698 x - 3 x2 + 8x - 5
put the answer Remainder
64 x2 – 3x
below. added here
58
32 11x - 5 over divisor
11x - 33
26
28
This is the
remainder
So we found the answer to the problem x2 + 8x – 5  x – 3
or the problem written another way:
 Let's Try Another One

If any powers of terms are missing you should write them in with
zeros in front to keep all of your columns straight.
y-2
Divide y into y2 y + 2 y2 + 0y + 8
y2 + 2y Remainder
added here
-2y + 8 over divisor
- 2y - 4
12
 Synthetic Division
There is a shortcut for long division as long as the divisor is x – k
where k is some number. (Can't have any powers on x).
Set divisor = 0 and
solve. Put answer
1
here.
x + 3 = 0 so x = - 3

Multiply -3 1 6 8 -2
these and
put answer
-3 -9 3
above line
in next 1 x2 + 3 x - 1 1 This is the remainder
column
List all coefficients (numbers in front of x's) and the
constant along the top. If a term is missing, put in a 0.
Put variables back in (one x was divided out in process so first
number is one less power than original problem).
 Let's try another Synthetic Division

0 x3 0x
Set divisor = 0 and
solve. Put answer
1
here.
x - 4 = 0 so x = 4

Multiply
4 1 0 -4 0 6
these and put
answer above
4 16 48 192
line in next
column 1 x3 + 4 x2 + 12 x + 48 198 This is the
remainder
List all coefficients (numbers in front of x's) and the constant along the
top. Don't forget the 0's for missing terms.
Now put variables back in (remember one x was divided out in
process so first number is one less power than original problem so
x3).
 Let's try a problem where we factor the polynomial
completely given one of its factors.

You want to divide

the factor into the
Multiply
these
polynomial so set
and put divisor = 0 and solve
answer
above
-2 4 8 -25 -50 for first number.
line in
next
-8 0 50
column No remainder so x + 2
2
4 x + 0 x - 25 0 IS a factor because it
So the answer is the divisor times the quotient: divided in evenly
Put variables back in (one x was divided out in process so first number is
one less power than original problem). in front of x's) and
List all coefficients (numbers
You could check this by the constant along the top. If a term is missing,
put in a 0.
multiplying them out and getting
original polynomial
 4.3 Zeros of Polynomials

Objective:

Students will find the zeros of a polynomial

and be able to discuss how many zeros are
real & imaginary, positive & negative,
rational & irrational and large or small in
value.
 4.3 Zeros of Polynomials
Can you find the zeros
of the polynomial?

There are repeated factors. (x-1) is to the 3rd power so it

is repeated 3 times. If we set this equal to zero and solve
we get 1. We then say that 1 is a zero of multiplicity 3
(since it showed up as a factor 3 times).

What are the other -2 is a zero of multiplicity 2

zeros and their 3 is a zero of multiplicity 1
multiplicities?
So knowing the zeros of a polynomial we can plot them on
the graph. If we know the multiplicity of the zero, it tells us
whether the graph crosses the x axis at this point (odd
multiplicities CROSS) or whether it just touches the axis
and turns and heads back the other way (even multiplicities
TOUCH). Let’s try to graph:
What would the left and
right hand behavior be?
You don’t need to multiply this out but figure out what the
highest power on an x would be if multiplied out. In this
case it would be an x3. Notice the negative out in front.
What would the y 1 of mult. 1
intercept be? (0, 4) (so crosses axis
at 1)
Find the zeros and -2 of mult. 2
their multiplicity (so touches at 2)
Steps for Graphing a Polynomial
•Determine left and right hand behaviour by looking at
the highest power on x and the sign of that term.
•Determine maximum number of turning points in graph by
subtracting 1 from the degree.
•Find and plot y intercept by putting 0 in for x
•Find the zeros (x intercepts) by setting polynomial = 0 and
solving.

•Determine multiplicity of zeros.

•Join the points together in a smooth curve touching or

crossing zeros depending on multiplicity and using left and
right hand behavior as a guide.
 Let’s graph:

•Determine
•Find
•Determine
•Find
•Join and
the
the plot
points
zeros left
y (x and right
maximum
intercept
together
intercepts)
in ahand
number
by behavior
putting
of
smooth
by turns
0
settingin for
curve inby
x looking
graph
polynomial
touchingby
= atand
or
0 the
•Determine
highest multiplicity
power on xofand
zeros.
the 0 multiplicity
sign of that term. 2 (touches)
subtracting
solving.
crossing zeros1depending
from the degree.
on multiplicity and using
3 multiplicity left and
1 (crosses)
right Multiplying
hand behaviourout, as a guide.
highest power Zeros
would are:
be x0,
4 3, -4
-4 multiplicity
Degree is 4 so maximum number of turns is(crosses) 1 3
Here is the actual graph. We did pretty good. If we’d wanted to be
more accurate on how low to go before turning we could have
plugged in an x value somewhere between the zeros and found the y
value. We are not going to be picky about this though since there is a
great method in calculus for finding these maxima and minima.
 What is we thought backwards? Given the
zeros and the degree can you come up with a
polynomial? Find a polynomial of degree 3 that
has zeros –1, 2 and 3.

What would the function look like in factored form to have

the zeros given above?

Multiply this out to get the polynomial. FOIL two of them

and then multiply by the third one.
 4.4 Complex and Rational Zeros of
Polynomials
Objective:

In this lesson, we will:

• Learn that imaginary roots always come in
pairs and those pairs are conjugates
• Find the possible and actual rational zeros
of a polynomial function
4.4 Complex and
Rational Zeros of
Polynomials
Using the Rational Root Theorem
to Predict the Rational Roots of a
Polynomial
Find the Roots of a Polynomial
For higher degree polynomials, finding the complex
roots (real and imaginary) is easier if we know one
of the roots.
The table below can help get you started. Complete
the table below:
 The Rational Root Theorem
The Rational Root Theorem gives us a tool to predict
the Values of Rational Roots:
List the Possible Rational Roots
For the polynomial:

All possible values of:

All possible Rational Roots of the form p/q:

Narrow the List of Possible Roots
For the polynomial:
Graph the polynomial:
# + real zeros: 1
# - real zeros: 0
# imag. zeros: 2

All possible Rational Roots of the form p/q:

 Find a Root That Works
For the polynomial:

Substitute each of our possible rational roots into f(x).

If a value, a, is a root, then f(a) = 0. (Roots are
solutions to an equation set equal to zero!)
 Find the Other Roots
Now that we know one root is x = 3, do the other two
roots have to be imaginary? What other category have
we left out?

To find the other roots, divide the factor that we know

into the original polynomial:
 Find the Other Roots (con’t)

The resulting polynomial is a quadratic, but it doesn’t

have real factors. Solve the quadratic set equal to zero
by either using the quadratic formula, or by isolating the
x and taking the square root of both sides.
 Find the Other Roots (con’t)
The solutions to the
quadratic equation:

For the polynomial:

The three complex

roots of the
polynomial are:
 4.5 Rational Functions
Objective:

In this lesson, we will:

• Sketch graphs of rational functions
• Look more in depth at the vertical &
horizontal asymptotes
• Find equations of rational functions
4.5 Rational Functions
and Their Graphs
 Example
Find the Domain of this Function.

Solution:
The domain of this function is the set of all real
numbers not equal to 3.
 Arrow Notation

Symbol Meaning
x→a+ x approaches a from the right.
x→a− x approaches a from the left.
x→∞ x approaches infinity; that is, x
increases without bound.
x→−∞ x approaches negative infinity; that is, x
decreases without bound.
 Definition of a Vertical Asymptote
The line x = a is a vertical asymptote of the graph of a function f if f (x)
increases or decreases without bound as x approaches a.
f (x) → ∞ as x → a + f (x) → ∞ as x → a −

y y

f
x x
a a

x=a x=a

Thus, f (x) → ∞ or f(x) → − ∞ as x approaches a from either the left or the

right.
 Definition of a Vertical Asymptote
The line x = a is a vertical asymptote of the graph of a function f if f (x)
increases or decreases without bound as x approaches a.

f (x) → − ∞ as x → a + f (x) → − ∞ as x → a −
y y

x=a x=a

x x
a a
f
f

Thus, f (x) → ∞ or f(x) → − ∞ as x approaches a from either the left or the

right.
 Locating Vertical Asymptotes

If is a rational function in which

p(x) and q(x) have no common factors and a is a

zero of q(x), the denominator, then x = a is a
vertical asymptote of the graph of f.
 Definition of a Horizontal
Asymptote

The line y = b is a horizontal asymptote of the graph of a function f if f (x)

approaches b as x increases or decreases without bound.

y y y
y=b y=b
f
f
f
x y=b x
x

f (x) → b as x → ∞ f (x) → b as x → ∞ f (x) → b as x →∞

 Locating Horizontal Asymptotes
Let f be the rational function given by

The degree of the numerator is n. The degree of the

denominator is m.
1. If n<m, the x-axis, or y=0, is the horizontal
asymptote of the graph of f.
2. If n=m, the line y = an/bm is the horizontal
asymptote of the graph of f.
3. If n>m,t he graph of f has no horizontal
asymptote.
 Strategy for Graphing a Rational Function

Suppose that where p(x) and q(x) are

polynomial functions with no common factors.

1. Find any vertical asymptote(s) by solving the equation

q (x) = 0.
2. Find the horizontal asymptote (if there is one) using the
rule for determining the horizontal asymptote of a rational
function.
3. Use the information obtained from the calculators graph
and sketch the graph labeling the asymptopes.
Sketch the graph of
• The vertical asymptote is x = -2

• The horizontal asymptote is y = 2/5

 Section 4.5
Rational Functions
• Find an equation of a rational function f that
satisfies
• x-intercept : 4
• Vertical asymptote: x=-2
• Horizontal asymptote: y= -3/5
• hole at x=1
 Section 4.5
Rational Functions
X-intercept -- x-4 must be factor in numerator
(x-4)
Vertical asymptote-- x+2 is factor in denominator
x-4
x+2
Horizontal asymptote--Mult. Numerator by -3 and
denominator by 5
-3(x-4)
5(x+2)
Hole--x-1 must be factor in both num. & den.
f(x)= -3(x-4)(x-1)
5(x+2)(x-1)
 Ch. 4 Review Answers
•