Scribd
Upload
1 views

2.2+Polynomial+Functions

This document covers polynomial functions, including their definitions, properties, and applications in modeling real-world data. It outlines learning goals such as graphing polynomial functions and determining real zeros. Additionally, it provides exercises for practicing these concepts, including modeling flow rates from an oil spill and planetary orbital periods.

Uploaded by

cchelseachan1109
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1 views

2.2+Polynomial+Functions

This document covers polynomial functions, including their definitions, properties, and applications in modeling real-world data. It outlines learning goals such as graphing polynomial functions and determining real zeros. Additionally, it provides exercises for practicing these concepts, including modeling flow rates from an oil spill and planetary orbital periods.

Uploaded by

cchelseachan1109
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Pre-Calculus

2.2 Polynomial Functions

Learning Goals
• Graph polynomial functions
• Model real-world data with polynomial functions

A polynomial function, in standard form, is given by:


f (x) = an x n + an−1x n−1 + . . . + a2 x 2 + a1x + a0, where an ≠ 0, all other a values are real
numbers, all n numbers are natural numbers (ie. 0, 1, 2, 3, …). Polynomial functions are defined
and continuous on all real numbers, and have smooth, rounded turns.

The degree of the polynomial is the value of the largest exponent of a variable.

The leading coefficient of a polynomial is the coefficient of the first term of a polynomial in
standard form. The leading term is the first term of a polynomial function in standard form.
1) Describe the end behaviour of the graph of each function using limit notation. Explain your
reasoning using the leading term test.
a) f (x) = 4x 5 − 8x 3 + 20 b) f (x) = − 3x 3 + 2x 2 − x 4 + 7

Recall that from Algebra 2, if f (x) is a polynomial function, and c is an x-intercept on the graph of
f (x), then this means:
• c is a zero of f (x)
• x = c is a solution to the equation f (x) = 0
• (x − c) is a factor of f (x)

2) State the possible number of real zeros and turning points of f (x), then determine all real zeros
by factoring.
a) f (x) = x 3 + 2x 2 − x − 2

b) f (x) = x 3 − 6x 2 − 27x
c) f (x) = x 4 − 9x 2 + 18

If a factor (x − c) occurs more than once in the fully factored form of f (x), then its related zero is
called a repeated zero.

3) Let f (x) = − 0.5x(x − 3)(x − 1)3.


a) Apply the leading-term test and describe the end behaviour of f (x) in limit notation.

b) Determine the zeros and state the multiplicity of each repeated zero.
Modelling Data
4) An oil tanker collides with another ship and starts leaking oil at the rate shown in the table
below. Write a polynomial function to model the set of data.

Time (h) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Flow rate
18.0 20.5 21.3 21.1 19.9 17.8 15.9 11.3 7.6 3.7
(100L/h)

a) Create a scatter plot of the data and determine the type of polynomial function that could be
used to represent the data

Inputting data: [stat] -> [1] ->


Graphing data: [y =], turn on Plot1
Regression: [stat] go to CALC, and pick your type of regression

b) Write a polynomial function to model the data set. Round each coefficient to the nearest
thousandth. State the correlation coefficient r 2

c) Use the model to estimate the flow rate in 10.5 hours. Round to 1 decimal place.

d) Use the model to determine the approximate time the flow rate was 1000 litres per hour. Round
to 1 decimal place.
5) The farther a planet is from the Sun, the longer it takes to complete an orbit. Use a graphing
calculator to write a polynomial function to model the set of data. Note that 1 AU (astrological unit)
is roughly the distance from the earth to the sun.

Distance (AU) 0.39 0.72 1 1.49 5.19 9.51 19.1 30 39.3

Period (days) 88 225 365 687 4344 10,775 30,681 60,267 90,582

a) Write a polynomial function to model the data set. Round each coefficient to the nearest
thousandth. State the correlation coefficient r 2.

b) Use the model to estimate how long it would take a planet 7 AUs away from the sun to
complete an orbit.

c) Use the model to determine how far away a planet would be from the sun, if it took 6500 days
to complete an orbit.

Homework
2.2 Homework (#1 - 6)
2.2 Homework
Graph each function. Describe the end behaviour of the graph of the polynomial function
using limits. Explain your reasoning using the leading term test.
1) f (x) = − 7x 5 − 2x 3 + 3x 2 + 5 2) f (x) = x 6 − 2x 4 + 1

State the number of possible real zeroes and turning points of each function. Then
determine all of the real zeroes by factoring.
3) f (x) = x 3 − 3x 2 − x + 3 4) f (x) = x 4 − 5x 2 − 36
5) The amount of food energy produced by farms increases as more energy is expended. The
following table shows the amount of energy produced and the amount of energy expended to
produce the food.

a) Write the polynomial function to model the set of data.

b) Use the function above to predict the energy output when the energy input is 800 calories.

6) For f (x) = − x(2x + 5)2(x − 3), do the following.


a) Apply the leading term test to determine the end behaviour.

b) Determine the zeroes and state the multiplicity of any repeated zeroes.

You might also like