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3.1 Graphs of Polynomial Functions

This document discusses polynomial functions and their graphs. It defines polynomials and their standard form, and describes their general shape as smooth, unbroken curves. Lower degree polynomials like linear and quadratic functions are presented, as well as how the leading term dominates the end behavior. Guidelines are provided for graphing polynomials based on their zeros, end behavior, and by testing points.

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Jonalyn Bautista-Canlas
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324 views

3.1 Graphs of Polynomial Functions

This document discusses polynomial functions and their graphs. It defines polynomials and their standard form, and describes their general shape as smooth, unbroken curves. Lower degree polynomials like linear and quadratic functions are presented, as well as how the leading term dominates the end behavior. Guidelines are provided for graphing polynomials based on their zeros, end behavior, and by testing points.

Uploaded by

Jonalyn Bautista-Canlas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Polynomial Functions

and their Graphs


Section 3.1
General Shape of Polynomial Graphs

 The graph of polynomials are smooth,


unbroken lines or curves, with no sharp
corners or cusps (see p. 251).
 Every Polynomial function is defined and
continuous for all real numbers.
Review
 General polynomial formula
n 1
P( x)  an x  an 1 x
n
 ...  a1 x  a0
 a0, a1, … ,an are constant coefficients
 n is the degree of the polynomial
 Standard form is for descending powers of x
 anxn is said to be the “leading term”
Family of Polynomials
 Constant polynomial functions
 f(x) = a

 Linear polynomial functions


 f(x) = mx + b

 Quadratic polynomial functions


 f(x) = ax2 + bx + c
Family of Polynomials
 Cubic polynomial functions
 f(x) = a x3 + b x2 + c x + d
 3rd degree polynomial

 Quartic polynomial functions


 f(x) = a x4 + b x3 + c x2+ d x + e
 4th degree polynomial
Polynomial “End Behavior”
 Consider what happens when x gets very
large in positive and negative direction
 Called “end behavior”
 Also “long-run” behavior
 Basically, the leading term anxn
dominates the shape of graph
 There are 4 possible scenarios:
End Behavior

Discuss end behavior for the following graphs:


 P ( x )  2 x 4
 5 x 3
 4x  7

 P( x)  2 x5  x 4  6 x 2  10
 P( x)  3 x  5 x  2 x
5 3
Compare Graph Behavior
Consider the following graphs:
 f(x) = x4 - 4x3 + 16x - 16
 g(x) = x4 - 4x3 - 4x2 +16x
 h(x) = x4 + x3 - 8x2 - 12x

 Graph these on the window


-8 < x < 8 and 0 < y < 4000
 Decide how these functions are alike or
different, based on the view of this graph
Compare Graph Behavior
 From this view, they appear very similar
Compare “Short Run” Behavior

 Now Change the window to be


-5 < x < 5 and -35 < y < 15

 How do the functions appear to be different


from this view?
Compare Short Run Behavior
Differences?
 Real zeros
 Local extrema
 Complex zeros

 Note: The standard form of the polynomials does


not give any clues as to this short run behavior of
the polynomials:
Using Zeros to Graph Polynomials
 Consider the following polynomial:
 p(x) = (x - 2)(2x + 3)(x + 5)
 What will the zeros be for this polynomial?
 x=2
 x = -3/2
 x = -5
 How do you know?
 Zero-Factor Property: If a*b = 0 then, we know
that either a = 0 or b = 0 (or both)
Guidelines to Graphing

 Zeros
 Test Points (like table of signs)
 End Behavior
 Graph (a smooth curve through all
known points)
Intermediate Value Theorem
 If P is a polynomial function and P(a) and
P(b) have opposite signs, then there is at
least one value c between a and b for which
P(c) = 0.
Theorem

 Local Extrema of Polynomial Functions:


 A polynomial function of degree n has at most
n - 1 local extrema.
Local Extrema (turning points)

 Local Extrema – a point (x,y) on the graph


where the graph changes from increasing to
decreasing or vice-versa.

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