Math 1314 Unit 2

4.1 Proper*es of Linear Func*ons and Linear Models

As we progress through this sec/on we will get to see what a linear func/on is, some of the main
characteris/cs of it, how to build the equa/on of a line and some applica/ons of our linear func/ons.

Slope Intercept form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏

Slope of a Line/Average Rate of Change:

𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑦 𝑦! − 𝑦"
𝑚= =
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 𝑥! − 𝑥"

• The slope is ALWAYS a number

• Only linear equations have slopes, this characteristic is specific to lines
• The slope is also considered to be a rate of change

Lines with Special Slopes:

• Horizontal Lines (𝑦 = #) the slope is always 0

• Vertical Lines ((𝑥 = #) the slope is always undefined
• Parallel Lines have the SAME slope.
• Perpendicular lines, the slopes are negative reciprocals of one another.

Example 1-3:
For each of the following func/ons complete the following:
A) Determine the slope (average rate of change) and y-intercept
B) Graph the func/on using slope and y-intercept
C) Determine the whether the func/on is increasing, decreasing, or constant

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 5 2. 𝑓(𝑥) = −4𝑥 + 2 3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 5

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Math 1314 Unit 2

Example 4: Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 6 and 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 + 4

A)Solve 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 B)Solve 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 0

C)Solve 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) D)Solve 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 𝑔(𝑥)

Example 5: Answer the following ques/ons based on the graph.

A) For what values of 𝑥 does 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥)

B) For which values of 𝑥 is 𝑔(𝑥) ≤ 𝑓(𝑥) < h(𝑥)

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Math 1314 Unit 2
Now that we have an idea of what some linear lines look like, how to find the slope, we will be looking at
how to build the equation of a linear line.

In order to build an equation of a line you need 2 things, always!

• Point (𝑥, 𝑦)
• Slope
o We may have to do some work to find the slope.

Once you have your point and slope ( which are truly just 3 numbers ), you plug them into your point-
slope equation to build the equation of your line.

Point-Slope Form: The equation of a line passing through 𝑃(𝑥" , 𝑥! ) with slope m is

𝑦 − 𝑦" = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥" )

Example 6: Write an equation of the line with the following information:

A) Slope 4, and passes through the point 𝑃(5,9)

#
B) Slope − $ and passes through 𝑃(3, −1)

C) A line that passes through 𝑃(3,7) and 𝑄(−5,3).

D) Find an equation of the line that passes through 𝑃(−2,5) and is parallel to the line 𝑦 = 8𝑥 − 3.

E) Find an equation of the line that passes through 𝑃(−2,5) and is perpendicular to the line 𝑦 = 8𝑥 − 3.

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Math 1314 Unit 2

Example 7: A cellular phone plan charges customers a flat rate of $7 a month plus $0.03 per minute used.
Answer the following ques/ons about the cost, C, in dollars of a cellular phone plan where x is the number of
minutes used.

a. Write a func/on the represents the cost of the phone plan in terms of minutes used.

b. What is the cost of the plan if you talk for 150 minutes?

c. If the bill is $220, how many minutes were used?

d. What is the maximum number of minutes that can be used for $120?

Example 8: Suppose that the quan/ty supplied S and quan/ty demanded D of hot dogs at a baseball game are
given by the following equa/ons
𝑆(𝑝) = −2000 + 3000𝑝 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷(𝑝) = 10,000 − 1000𝑝
Where p is the price of a hot dog.

a. Find the equilibrium price for hot dogs at the ball game. What is the quan/ty supplied?

b. Determine the price for which quan/ty demanded is less than quan/ty supplied.

c. What do you think will eventually happen to the price of hot dogs if quan/ty demanded is less than
quan/ty supplied?

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Math 1314 Unit 2
Example 9: Suppose that a company has just purchased a new computer for $1500. The company chooses to
depreciate using the straight line method for 3 years.

A) Write a linear func/on that expresses the book value of the computer as a func/on of its age.

B) What is the implied domain of the func/on found in part (a)?

C) What is the book value of the computer a]er 2 years?

D) When will the computer be worth $1000?

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Math 1314 Unit 2
4.3 Quadra*c Func*ons and Their Proper*es

Quadra*c Func*on Vertex (h,k) Axis of Symmetry

% %
Standard Form: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 ! + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 ℎ = − !& 𝑥 = − !&
%
Vertex Form: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)! + 𝑘 𝑘 = 𝑓(ℎ) = 𝑓 G− !&H

Vertex (h,k) : turning point of the parabola.

Minimum of Maximum Points(y=k): occurs at the vertex
Axis of Symmetry (x=h): vertical line that intersects the parabola at the vertex.

Examples 1-3:
Graph the following func/ons by determining whether its graph (1) opens up or down and by finding its (2)
vertex, (3) axis of symmetry, (4) y-intercept, and x-intercept, if any. Where is the graph of the func/on (5)
increasing and decreasing? What is the (6) domain and range of the func/on?

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2(𝑥 − 2)! + 3 2. 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 5)! − 4

D) 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 ! − 6𝑥 4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 − 15

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Math 1314 Unit 2
Example 5: Determine the quadra/c func/on whose graph is given below. Leave your answer in vertex form.

Example 6: For the following func/ons determine the value of the maximum or the minimum without graphing
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥 ! + 12𝑥 − 16 B) 𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥 ! − 5𝑥 + 3

Example 7: The John Deere Company has found that the revenue, in dollars, from sales of riding mowers is a
func/on of the unit price p, in dollars, that it charges. If the revenue R is
"
𝑅(𝑝) = − ! 𝑝! + 1900𝑝. What unit price should be charged to maximize revenue? What is the 2
maximum revenue?

Example 8: The daily revenue R achieved by selling x boxes of candy is figured to be 𝑅(𝑥) = 9.5𝑥 − .04𝑥 ! .
The daily cost C of selling x boxes of candy is 𝐶(𝑥) = 1.25𝑥 + 250.
A) How many boxes of candy must the firm sell to maximize revenue? What is the maximum?

B) Profit is given as 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑅(𝑥) − 𝐶(𝑥). What is the profit func/on?

C) How many boxes of candy must the firm sell to maximize profit? What is the maximum profit?

D) Provide a reasonable explana/on as to why the answers found in parts (a) and (c) differ. Explain why a
quadra/c func/on is a reasonable model for revenue?

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Math 1314 Unit 2

5.1 & 5.2 Polynomial Func*ons and Their Graphs

We have spent time talking about polynomial functions, and identifying them when finding the domain,
but we have not actually defined what is a polynomial. We will spend the remainder of this unit finding
the zeros of a polynomial function, and walk through the steps required to complete this task.

Polynomial:
A polynomial function in one variable ( say x), is a function of the form

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎' 𝑥 ' + 𝑎'(" 𝑥 '(" + ⋯ + 𝑎" 𝑥 " + 𝑎)

'
Lead Term: 𝑎' 𝑥
Lead Coe`icient: 𝑎'
Degree: 𝑛

One of the first things we are able to do with a polynomial is classify what type it is. Only some
polynomials have names, ones with a degree larger than 5 we are not really interested in classifying (aka
naming)

Degree Name Example

0 constant 𝑓(𝑥) = 5
1 linear 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3

2 quadratic 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 + 1

3 cubic 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 $ − 6𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 − 1

4 quartic 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 * − 2𝑥 $ + 4𝑥 ! − 7𝑥

5 quintic 𝑓(𝑥) = 8𝑥 # − 7𝑥 $ + 1

Example 1: Determine whether the following functions are polynomials. If they are, state the degree and
lead coe`icient.
! ")
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = 7𝑥 + − 4𝑥 $ − 5𝑥 + √2 B) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 (* − 5𝑥 (! + 4 𝐶) 𝑓(𝑥) = √2𝑥 , − 9𝑥 * + -

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Math 1314 Unit 2
One of the first characteristics that we will be finding to help us find the zeros of a polynomial function is
the end behavior.

End behavior can be described as where are your y-values headed for your function? As your x-values get
increasingly large, where are the y-values going? We use the lead coe`icient test to answer this question,
which means we need to use our end behavior chart below.

End Behavior Chart:

Even Degree Functions Odd Degree Functions Sign of Lead CoeMicient

𝑥 → −∞ 𝑦 → ∞ 𝑥 → −∞ 𝑦 → −∞
𝑥→∞ 𝑦→∞ 𝑥→∞ 𝑦→∞ POSITIVE

𝑥 → −∞ 𝑦 → −∞ 𝑥 → −∞ 𝑦 → ∞
𝑥 → ∞ 𝑦 → −∞ 𝑥→∞ 𝑦 → −∞ NEGATIVE

Example 2: Use the lead coe`icient test to describe the end behavior of each function.
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 $ − 2𝑥 + 1 C) 𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥 # + 5𝑥 * − 7𝑥 − 3

B) 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 * − 2𝑥 $ + 3𝑥 + 4 D) 𝑓(𝑥) = −7𝑥 + − 𝑥 $ + 2

Zeros of a Polynomial:
• The zero of a polynomial is the value of x that makes your function 0.
• The word zero, root, solution are all interchangeable words.
• If your zero is a real number, it is also the x-intercept of your function.
• In this section, we will find the zeros of a polynomial by factoring.
• In later sections, we will learn how to find the zeros by di`erent methods.

Example 3: Find the zeros of each polynomial function:

A) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 $ + 4𝑥 ! − 𝑥 − 4 B) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 # − 9𝑥 $

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Math 1314 Unit 2

Zero of Mul*plicity
If (𝑥 − 𝑟). is a factor of a polynomial 𝑓 and (𝑥 − 𝑟).(' is not a factor of 𝑓, then r is called a zero
mul/plicity of m of f

Example:
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! − 6𝑥 + 9
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 3)
!
Then (𝑥 − 3) is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑥 = 3 is a zero with mul/plicity 2 of 𝑓(𝑥)

Example 4: Iden/fy the real zeros and their mul/plici/es.

" *
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 ! (𝑥 + 2) G𝑥 − !H B) 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 1)! (𝑥 − 2) C) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥(𝑥 ! − 9)(𝑥 ! + 9)

Example 5: Form a polynomial whose degree and zeros are given. Write in factored form.

A) Degree 3; zeros: -2, 0, 4

B) Degree 4; zeros: -2, mul/plicity 3; 1, mul/plicity 1

"
C) Degree 6: zeros: 7, mul/plicity 2; 0, mul/plicity 1; !, mul/plicity 3

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Math 1314 Unit 2

r is a Zero of Even Mul*plicity

Numerically: The sign of 𝑓(𝑥) does not change from one side to the other side of r
Graphically: The graph touches the x-axis at r

r is a Zero of Odd Mul*plicity

Numerically: The sign of f(x) changes from one side to the other side of r
Graphically: The graph crosses the x-axis at r

Turning Points- If f is a polynomial func/on of degree n, then the graph of f has

at most n-1 turning points

Example 6: Find a polynomial func/on that could form the graph shown below

Example 7: Sketch the graph of each func/on by using end-behavior and mul/plicity of zeros. Iden/fy the
maximum number of turning points, x and y intercepts, and the power func/on.
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 $ (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 3) 𝐵) 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 2)! (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 4)

C) 𝑓(𝑥) = −2(𝑥 ! − 9)(𝑥 ! + 7)! 𝐷) 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 5)$ (𝑥 + 4)!

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Math 1314 Unit 2
5.3 Rational Functions
This section may feel a little disconnected, and it is because it is! We are going to take a step back and
look at our rational functions, these do not fall under the category of a polynomial, and are in fact one of
our 12 basic functions. Rational functions have specific characteristics, that is what we will be covering
in this section.

Rational Function
A rational function is a function defined by an equation of the form
𝑃(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑄(𝑥)
Where 𝑃(𝑥) and Q(𝑥) are polynomials.

Example 1: Find the domain of the following:

3𝑥 + 2
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥! − 7𝑥 + 12

Asymptotes:
Asymptotes are lines where your function is undefined. They are denoted with dashed lines on our
graph.

Vertical Asymptotes:
The lines 𝑥 = 𝑎 are vertical asymptotes of the function that correspond to the zeros of the denominator of
a rational function.

To Find: set the denominator = 0 and solve for x. That value of x

Horizontal Asymptotes:
The line 𝑦 = 𝑏 is a horizontal asymptote of the function f(x) as x approaches ±∞.

To Find:
If deg(num) > deg(denom), then has no horizontal asymptote
If deg(num) < deg(denom), then H.A. y=0
If deg(num)= deg(denom), then H.A. is the lead coe`icient of the numerator divided by the lead
coe`icient of the denominator

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Math 1314 Unit 2

Example 2: Find the vertical asymptotes, if any, of each function.

!- -(* #-
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = - ! ("+ B) 𝑔(𝑥) = - ! ("+ C) ℎ(𝑥) = - ! 0"+

Example 3: Find the horizontal asymptotes, if any, of each function.

$- $- ! 0" - " 0!
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = !- ! (" B) 𝑓(𝑥) = - ! (!-0" C) 𝑓(𝑥) = -(#

Reciprocal Function
This is function #7 of our 12 basic functions

"
The function 𝑓(𝑥) = - is the reciprocal function, and the parent function of rational functions.
V.A. :
H.A. :
Domain:

To Graph Reciprocal Functions:

1. Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes, if any.
2. Find the x and y intercepts, if any.
3. Draw the graph. Find additional points if necessary.
4. Use transformations if possible

Example 4: Graph the following:

- ! (* $- " "
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = - ! (" B) 𝑓(𝑥) = -(! C) 𝑓(𝑥) = -(-(")! D) 𝑓(𝑥) = - ! 0"

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