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Objectives:

• Identify polynomial functions.

• Recognize characteristics of graphs of polynomial
functions.
• Determine end behavior.
• Graph polynomial functions using a table.

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EVALUATING POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

A polynomial function is a function of the form

f(x) = an x nn + an – 1 x nn – 11 +· · ·+ a 1 x + aa00
Where ann  00 and the exponents are all whole numbers.

For this polynomial function, aan is the leading coefficient,

coefficient
n
aa00 is the constant
constant term,
term and n is the degree.
degree

A polynomial function is in standard form if its terms are

descending order
written in descending order of
of exponents
exponents from
from left
left to
to right.
right.
EVALUATING POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

You are already familiar with some types of polynomial

functions. Here is a summary of common types of
polynomial functions.

Degree Type Standard Form

0 Constant f (x) = a 0

1 Linear f (x) = a1x + a 0

2 Quadratic f (x) = a 2 x 2 + a 1 x + a 0

3 Cubic f (x) = a 3 x 3 + a 2 x 2 + a 1 x + a 0

4 Quartic f (x) = a4 x 4 + a 3 x 3 + a 2 x 2 + a 1 x + a 0
Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

f (x) = 1 x 2 – 3x4 – 7
2

SOLUTION

The function is a polynomial function.

4 1 2
Its standard form is f (x) = – 3x + x – 7.
2
It has degree 4, so it is a quartic function.

The leading coefficient is – 3.

Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

f (x) = x 3 + 3 x

SOLUTION

The function is not a polynomial function because the

x
term 3 does not have a variable base and an exponent
that is a whole number.
Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

–
f (x) = 6x 2 + 2x 1 + x

SOLUTION

The function is not a polynomial function because the term

2x –1 has an exponent that is not a whole number.
Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

f (x) = – 0.5x +  x 2 – 2

SOLUTION

The function is a polynomial function.

Its standard form is f (x) =  x – 0.5x –

2
2.

It has degree 2, so it is a quadratic function.

The leading coefficient is .

Identifying Polynomial Functions

Polynomial function?

f (x) = 12 x 2 – 3x 4 – 7

f (x) = x 3 + 3x

f (x) = 6x2 + 2x– 1 + x

f (x) = – 0.5x +  x2 – 2
Using Synthetic Substitution

One way to evaluate polynomial functions is to use

direct substitution. Another way to evaluate a polynomial
is to use synthetic substitution.

Use synthetic division to evaluate

f (x) = 2x 4 + -8x 2 + 5x - 7 when x = 3.
 Using Synthetic Substitution

SOLUTION

2x 4 + 0x 3 + (–8x 2) + 5x + (–7)
Polynomial in
standard form

33• 2 0 –8 5 –7
Coefficients
6 18 30 105
x-value
2 6 10 35 98
The value of f (3) is the last number you write,
In the bottom right-hand corner.
 Graphs of Polynomial Functions –
Smooth and Continuous

Polynomial functions of degree 2 or higher have graphs

that are smooth and continuous.

By smooth, we mean that the graphs contain only

rounded curves with no sharp corners.

By continuous, we mean that the graphs have no breaks

and can be drawn without lifting your pencil from the
rectangular coordinate system.

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 Turning Points of Polynomial Functions

In general, if f is a polynomial function of degree n,

then the graph of f has at most n – 1 turning points.

Graph of f (x) = x 3 + x 2 – 4x – 1 Graph f (x) = –x 4 – 2x 3 + 2x 2 + 4x

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GRAPHING POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

The end behavior of a polynomial function’s graph

is the behavior of the graph as x approaches infinity
(+ ) or negative infinity (– ). The expression
x +  is read as “x approaches positive infinity.”
GRAPHING POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

END BEHAVIOR
 GRAPHING POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
CONCEPT
END BEHAVIOR FOR POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
SUMMARY

an n x – x +

>0 even f (x) + f (x) +

>0 odd f (x) – f (x) +

<0 even f (x) – f (x) –

<0 odd f (x) + f (x) –

 Graphing Polynomial Functions

Graph f (x) = x 3 + x 2 – 4x – 1.

SOLUTION

To graph the function, make a table of

values and plot the corresponding points.
Connect the points with a smooth curve
and check the end behavior.

The degree –3 and–2

x is odd –1 coefficient
the leading 0 1is positive,
2 3
so f (x) f(x)– –7as x 3 – 3 f (x)–1 + –3 as x 3 + 23.
and
 Graphing Polynomial Functions

Graph f (x) = –x 4 – 2x 3 + 2x 2 + 4x.

SOLUTION

To graph the function, make a table of

values and plot the corresponding points.
Connect the points with a smooth curve
and check the end behavior.

x
The degree is–3 –2 the leading
even and –1 0coefficient
1 is negative,
2 3
so f (x)f (x) – –21as x 0 – –1 and f0(x) 3– –16
as x –105
+ .
 End Behavior of Polynomial Functions

The end behavior of the graph of a function to the far

left or the far right is called its end behavior.
Although the graph of a polynomial function may
have intervals where it increases or decreases, the graph
will eventually rise or fall without bound as it moves far
to the left or far to the right.
The sign of the leading coefficient, an, and the
degree, n, of the polynomial function reveal its end
behavior.

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 The Leading Coefficient Test

As x increases or decreases without bound, the graph of

the polynomial function
f ( x) = an x n + an-1 x n-1 + ... + a2 x 2 + a1x + a0
eventually rises or falls. In particular, the sign of the
leading coefficient, an, and the degree, n, of the
polynomial function reveal its end behavior.

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The Leading Coefficient Test for
f ( x) = an x n + an-1 x n-1 + ... + a2 x 2 + a1x + a0 (continued)

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Example: Using the Leading Coefficient Test

Use the Leading Coefficient Test to determine the end

behavior of the graph of f ( x) = x 4 - 4 x 2 .
The degree of the function is 4,
which is even. Even-degree
functions have graphs with the
same behavior at each end.
The leading coefficient, 1, is
positive. The graph rises to
the left and to the right.
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Graph each Polynomial Function and
determine the end behavior
1. f (x) = x 3 - 4x 2 - 4x + 16

2. f (x) = x 4 + 2x 3 - 5x 2 - 6x

3. f (x) = - x 5 + 15x 3 + 10x 2 - 24x

4. f (x) = - x 4 + 2x 3 + 3x 2 - 2x + 6

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 3 2
f (x) = x − 4x − 4x + 16
1. Make a preliminary investigation on the
a. Number of turning points ________
2. Prepare a table of values.
Location of Zeroes

x −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5
f(x)
3. To graph the function, plot the corresponding points and
connect the points with a smooth curve and check the end
behavior.
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 4 3 2
f (x) = x + 2x − 5x − 6x
1. Make a preliminary investigation on the
a. Number of turning points ________
2. Prepare a table of values.
Location of Zeroes

x −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2
f(x)
3. To graph the function, plot the corresponding points and
connect the points with a smooth curve and check the end
behavior.
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 5 3 2
f (x) = − x + 15x + 10x − 24x
1. Make a preliminary investigation on the
a. Number of turning points ________
2. Prepare a table of values.
Location of Zeroes

x −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4
f(x)
3. To graph the function, plot the corresponding points and
connect the points with a smooth curve and check the end
behavior.
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 4 3 2
f (x) = − x + 2x + 3x − 2x + 6
1. Make a preliminary investigation on the
a. Number of turning points ________
2. Prepare a table of values.
Location of Zeroes

x −2 −1 0 1 2 3
f(x)
3. To graph the function, plot the corresponding points and
connect the points with a smooth curve and check the end
behavior.
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Graph of the polynomial function.

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 Graph each Polynomial Function
1. Make a preliminary investigation on the
a. Lower bound ________
b. Upper bound ________
c. Number of turning points ________
2. Prepare a table of values.
x
f(x)
3. Find the zeroes of the polynomial function.
{ _____, ______, ______, ______, ______ }
4 Determine the possible combination.
Number of Number of Number of Total Number
+ Zeroes - Zeroes Imaginary Zeroes of Zeroes

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5. Graph the polynomial function.

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