Advanced Functions

Fall 2017
Course Notes

Chapter 2 – Polynomial
Functions
We will learn
 about the algebraic and geometric structure of polynomial functions of
degree three and higher
 algebraic techniques for dividing one polynomial by another
 use the techniques we learn for division to FACTOR polynomials
 solve problems involving Polynomial Equations and Inequalities

Sketch made in Maple

Chapter 2 – Polynomial Functions
Contents with suggested problems from the Nelson Textbook (Chapter 3)

2.1 Polynomial Functions: An Introduction – Pg 30 - 32

Pg. 122 #1 – 3 (Review on Quadratic Factoring)
Pg. 127 – 128 #1, 2, 3cd, 5, 6

2.2 Characteristics of Polynomial Functions – Pg 33 – 38

Pg. 136 - 138 #1 – 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

2.3 Zeros of Polynomial Functions – Pg 39 – 43

READ ex 3, 4, 5 on Pg 141 - 144
Pg. 146 - 148 #1 2, 4, 6, 8ab, 10, 12, 13b

2.4 Dividing Polyomials – Pg 44 - 51

Pg. 168 - 170 #2, 5, 6acdef, 10acef, 12, 13

2.5 The Factor Theorem – Pg 52 – 54

Pg. 176 - 177 #1, 2, 5 – 7 abcd, 8ac, 9, 12

2.6 Sums and Differences of Cubes – Pg 55 – 56

Pg 182 #2aei, 3, 4
2.1 Polynomial Functions: An Introduction

Definition 2.1.1
A Polynomial Function is of the form

Examples of Polynomial Functions

a) f ( x)  8 x 4  5 x3  2 x 2  3 x  5

b) g ( x)  7 x 6  4 x 3  3x 2  2 x

Notes: The TERM an x n in any polynomial function (where n is the highest power we see) is

called the , and then we write all the following terms

in .

The has two components:

1)

2)
The tells us the end behaviour of the polynomial function.

Pictures

31
Definition 2.1.2
The order of a polynomial is

Class/Homework for Section 2.1

Pg. 122 #1 – 3 (Review on Quadratic Factoring)

Pg. 127 – 128 #1, 2, 3cd, 5, 6
2.2 Characteristics (Behaviours) of Polynomial
Functions
Today we open, and look inside the black box of mystery

Consider the sketch of the graph of some function, f ( x) :

Figure 2.2.1

Observations about f ( x) :
1) f ( x) is a polynomial of order (degree).

2) The leading coefficient is

3) f ( x) has 3 (where the functional behaviour of

INCREASING/DECREASING switches from one to the other.)

33
4) f ( x) has 2

5) f ( x) is increasing on

f ( x) is decreasing on

6) f ( x) has a functional value.

7) f ( x) has a at (2,1) but

Consider the sketch of the graph of some function g ( x ) :

Figure 2.2.2

Observations about g ( x ) :

35
 General Observations about the Behaviour of Polynomial Functions

1) The Domain of all Polynomial Functions is

2) The Range of ODD ORDERED Polynomial Functions is

3) The Range of EVEN ORDERED Polynomial Functions

Even Ordered Polynomials

Zeros: A Polynomial Function, f ( x) , with an even degree of “n” (i.e. n  2, 4, 6... ) can
have

e.g. A degree 4 Polynomial Function (with a positive leading coefficient) can look like:
 Turning Points:
The minimum number of turning points for an Even Ordered Polynomial
Function is

The maximum number of turning points for a Polynomial Function of (even)

order n is

Odd Ordered Polynomials

Zeros:

Turning Points:

Example 2.2.1 (#2, for #1b, from Pg. 136)

Determine the minimum and maximum number of zeros and turning points the given
function may have: g ( x )  2 x 5  4 x 3  10 x 2  13 x  8

37
Example 2.2.2 (#4d from Pg. 136)
Describe the end behaviour of the polynomial function using the order and the sign on the
leading coefficient for the given function: f ( x)  2 x 4  5 x3  2 x 2  3x  1

Example 2.2.3 (#7c from Pg. 137)

Sketch a graph of a polynomial function that satisfies the given set of conditions:
Degree 4 - positive leading coefficient - 1 zero - 3 turning points.

Class/Homework for Section 2.2

Pg. 136 - 138 #1 – 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

2.3 Zeros of Polynomial Functions
(Polynomial Functions in Factored Form)

Today we take a deeper look inside the Box of Mystery, carefully examining Zeros
of Polynomial Functions

We’ll begin with an Algebraic Perspective:

Consider the polynomial function in factored form:

f ( x)  (2 x  3)( x  1)( x  2)( x  3)

Observations:

Now, consider the polynomial function g ( x)  ( x  3) 2 ( x  1)( x  2)

Observations:

39
Geometric Perspective on Repeated Roots (zeros) of order 2

Consider the quadratic in factored form: f ( x)  ( x  1) 2

Figure 2.3.1

Consider the polynomial function in factored form: h(t )  (t  1)3 (2t  5)

Observations:
Geometric Perspective on Repeated Roots (zeros) of order 3

Consider the function f ( x)  ( x  1)3

Figure 2.3.2

Example 2.3.1
Sketch a (possible) graph of f ( x)  2 x( x  1)( x  2)

41
Families of Functions

Polynomial functions which share the same are “broadly related” (e.g.
all quadratics are in the “order 2 family”).

Polynomial Functions which share the same

are more tightly related.

Polynomial Functions which share the same

are like siblings.

Example 2.3.2
The family of functions of order 4, with zeros x  1, 0, 3, 5 can be expressed as:

Example 2.3.3
Sketch a graph of g ( x )  4 x 4  16 x 2
Example 2.3.4
Sketch a (possible) graph of h(t )  (t  1)3 (t  2) 2

Example 2.3.5
Determine the quartic function, f ( x) , with zeros at x  2, 0, 1, 3 , if f (1)  2 .

Class/Homework for Section 2.3

READ ex 3, 4, 5 on Pg 141 - 144

Pg. 146 - 148 #1, 2, 4, 6, 8ab, 10, 12, 13b
43
2.4a Dividing a Polynomial by a Polynomial
(The Hunt for Factors)

Note: In this course we will almost

always be dividing a polynomial by
a monomial

Before embarking, we should consider some “basic” terms (and notation):

dividend remainder
 quotient 
divisor divisor

Note: The Divisor and the Quotient will both be

IF
Example 2.4.1
Use LONG DIVISION for the following division problem:
5 x 4  3 x3  2 x 2  6 x  7 Please read Example 1 (Part A) on
x2 Pgs. 162 – 163 in your textbook.

KEY OBSERVATION:

45
Example 2.4.2
2 x5  3 x3  4 x  1
Using Long Division, divide .
x 1

KEY OBSERVATION:

Classwork: Pg. 169 #5 (Yep, that’s it for today)

2.4b Dividing a Polynomial by a Polynomial
(The Hunt for Factors – Part 2)

Here we will examine an alternative form of polynomial division called Synthetic Division.
Don’t be fooled! This is not “fake division”. You’re thinking with the wrong meaning for
“synthetic”. (Do a search online and see if you can come up with the meaning I am taking!)

In Synthetic Division we concern ourselves with

Synthetic Division uses

Note:

The Set-up

47
Example 2.4.3
Divide using synthetic division:
(4 x3  5x2  2 x 1)  ( x  2)

Example 2.4.4
Divide using synthetic division:
4x4  3x2  2x 1
x 1
Example 2.4.5
Divide using your choice of method (and you choose synthetic division…amen)
(2 x3  9 x2  x 12)  (2 x  3)

Example 2.4.6
Is 3 x  1 a factor of the function f ( x )  6 x  x 3  2  3x 4 ?

49
Example 2.4.7 (OK…this is a lot of examples!)
1
Consider again (from Example 2.4.6) f ( x)  3x 4  x3  6 x  2 , and calculate f   .
3

Example 2.4.8
 3
Consider Example 2.4.5. Let g ( x)  2 x 3  9 x 2  x  12 , and calculate g   .
 2

The Remainder Theorem

Given a polynomial function, f ( x), divided by a
linear binomial, x  k , then the remainder of the
division is the value
Proof of the Remainder Theorem

Example 2.4.9
5 x 4  3 x 3  50 WAIT!!!! We MUST have a
Determine the remainder of .
x2 FUNCTION

Class/Homework for Section 2.4

Pg. 168 - 170 #2, 6acdef, 10acef, 12, 13

51
2.5 The Factor Theorem
(Factors have been FOUND)

The Factor Theorem

Given a polynomial function, f ( x ), then x  a is a
factor of f ( x)

Example 2.5.1
Use the Factor Theorem to factor x 3  2 x 2  5 x  6 . WAIT!!!! We need a FUNCTION
Example 2.5.2
Factor fully x 4  x 3  16 x 2  4 x  48

53
Example 2.5.3 (Pg 177 #6c in your text)
Factor fully x 4  8 x 3  4 x 2  48 x

Example 2.5.4 (Pg 177 #10)

When ax 3  x 2  2 x  b is divided by x  1 the remainder is 10 . When it is divided by
x  2 the remainder is 51 . Find a and b.
This problem is very instructive.

Class/Homework for Section 2.5

Pg. 176 - 177 #1, 2, 5 – 7 abcd, 8ac, 9, 12 (angels sing over 9 & 12)
2.6 Factoring Sums and Differences of Cubes
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tternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspa
ternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspat
ernspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatt
rnspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatte
nspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatter
spatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspattern

Knowing how to factor a sum or difference of cubes is a simple matter of remembering patterns.

Example 2.6.1 (Recalling the pattern for factoring a Difference of Squares)

Factor 4 x 2  25
Note: Sums of Squares
DO NOT factor!!

e.g. Simplify x 2  4

Differences of Cubes

Pattern
 cube1  cube2    cuberoot1 cuberoot2   cuberoot12 cuberoot1  cuberoot2 cuberoot2 2 

TWO POSITIVES and ONE NEGATIVE

Sums of Cubes (These DO factor!!)

Pattern
(cube1  cube2 )   cuberoot1 cuberoot2   cuberoot12 cuberoot1  cuberoot2 cuberoot2 2 

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Example 2.6.2
Factor x 3  8

Example 2.6.3
Factor 27 x 3  125 y 3

Example 2.6.4
Factor 1  64 z 3

Example 2.6.5
Factor 1000 x 3  27

Example 2.6.6
Factor x 6  729

Class/Homework for Section 2.6

Pg 182 #2aei, 3, 4
If you finish early, begin the review
Pgs. 184 – 185 (skip #8, 9)