Assignment answers
1. For each of the following functions complete the chart and sketch the function using Graph
Calc.
Function degree Sign of leading End End behaviour
coefficient behaviour x→ ∞
x → −∞
y = 3x 2 − 4 x − 1 Even(2) Positive(3) ∞ or Q 2 ∞ or Q 1
y = − x 4 − x3 + x 2 + 3 Even(4) Negative(-1) -∞ or Q 3 -∞ or Q 4
y = 2 x − 9 x + 11x + x − 13 Odd(5)
5 4 2 Positive(2) -∞ or Q 3 ∞ or Q 1
y = −2 x 4 − 4 x 3 + x 2 + 6 x + 5 Even(4) Negative(-2) -∞ or Q 3 -∞ or Q 4
y = − x3 + 8x 2 − 4 x + 1 Odd(3) Negative(-1) ∞ or Q 2 -∞ or Q 4
2. Based on the above chart, find the relationship between the end behaviour
of a function, the degree and the sign of the leading coefficient.
Even degree functions with a positive leading coefficient will have end behaviour of
as x Æ - ∞ , y Æ ∞ and as x Æ ∞,y Æ ∞.
Even degree functions with a negative leading coefficient will have end behaviour of
as x Æ - ∞, y Æ - ∞ and as x Æ - ∞, y Æ - ∞.
Odd degree functions with a positive leading coefficient will have end behaviour of
as x Æ - ∞, y Æ - ∞ and as x Æ ∞,y Æ ∞.
Odd degree functions with a negative leading coefficient will have end behaviour of
as x Æ - ∞, y Æ ∞ and as x Æ ∞, y Æ - ∞.
3. Using GraphCalc fill-in the following chart.
Function degree Number of zeroes
y = 3x 2 − 4 x − 1 2 even 2
y = −x − x + x + 3
4 3 2 4 even 2
y = 2 x 5 − 9 x 4 + 11x 2 + x − 13 5 odd 1
y = −2 x 4 − 4 x 3 + x 2 + 6 x + 5 4 even 2
y = − x3 + 8x 2 − 4 x + 1 3 odd 1
4. Based on the chart in question #3, what is the minimum and maximum number of zeros
possible for each of the following polynomial functions with the following degrees:
a) 2 min= 0, max = 2 (b) 3 min = 1, max = 3 (c) 5 min = 1, max = 5
(d) 6 min= 0, max = 6 (e) 7 min = 1, max = 7
(f) n min = 0, max = n if n is even and min = 1, max = n if n is odd
5. Identify the sign of the leading coefficient and describe the end behaviour. Using this
information, decide if each function is cubic or quartic.
sign: positive, function: cubic sign: negative, function: quartic
sign: positive, function: quartic sign: negative, function: cubic
6. Without using any graphing technology, graph the following polynomial functions:
Function: y = − x( x − 2) ( x + 3) Function: y = x ( x − 4)( x + 5)
4 3 2
Degree: 6 Degree: 6
Sign: negative Sign: positive
Quadrants: 3Æ4 Quadrants: 2Æ1
Roots: x=-3, 0, 2 Roots: x= -5, 0, 4
y-intercept: 0 y-intercept: 0
domain: {xεℜ} domain: {xεℜ}
range: { yεℜ} y<maximum range: { yεℜ} , y>minimum
end behaviours: as x → −∞, y → −∞ end behaviours: as x → −∞, y → ∞
as x → ∞, y → −∞ as x → ∞, y → ∞
Function: y = −( x + 1) ( x − 3)
5 4
Function: y = ( x + 3) ( x − 1)
2 3
Degree: odd
Degree: odd
Sign: negative
Sign: positive
Quadrants: 2Æ4
Quadrants: 3Æ1
Roots: x= -1, 3
Roots: x= -3 , 1
y-intercept: -81
y-intercept: -9
domain: {xεℜ}
domain: {xεℜ}
range: { yεℜ}
range: { yεℜ}
end behaviours: as x → −∞, y → ∞ end behaviours: as x → −∞, y → −∞
as x → ∞, y → −∞ as x → ∞, y → ∞
Function: y = − x ( x + 3)( x − 4) Function: y = ( x − 3)( x + 5)( x − 2)
4 3 2
Degree: 8 Degree: 4
Sign: negative Sign: positive
Quadrants: 3Æ4 Quadrants: 2Æ1
Roots: x=-3,0, 4 Roots: x=-5, 2, 3
y-intercept: 0 y-intercept: -60
domain: {xεℜ} domain: {xεℜ}
range: { yεℜ} range: { yεℜ} , y>minimum
and {xεℜ | x > 2} end behaviours: as x → −∞, y → −∞
end behaviours: as x → −∞, y → −∞ as x → ∞, y → ∞
as x → ∞, y → −∞
