GRAPHING POLYNOMIAL
FUNCTIONS
DIVINA B. MIGRIÑO
TEACHER
Objectives:
• Describe the behavior of the graph using the Leading
Coefficient Test, and Sketch the graph of polynomial
function.
• Identify the number of turning points and the
behavior of the graph based on the multiplicity of
zeros.
• Value accumulated knowledge as means of new
understanding.
Checking of assignment:
Find the x- and y-intercepts of the following polynomial functions:
1. y = x3 + 3x2 – x – 3
2. y = x3 – 7x + 6
3. y = x4 – x2 + 2x3 – 2x
4. y = x3 – 4x2 + x + 6
5. y = –x(x – 2)(x – )(x – 3)
FIND YOUR MATCH.
Each group will received a
polynomial function. Have them
match the assigned function to the
given graphs on the board.
Need to consider in graphing
polynomial functions:
a. x and y intercepts;
b. multiplicity of roots;
c. behavior of the graph;
d. Table of values; and
e. number of turning points.
1. Describe and sketch the
behavior of the graph of
f(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3).
2
Find the following:
a. x- and y-intercepts:
i. x-intercepts:−2,−1,−1,2, 3
y-intercept: 12
ii.
The graph will intersect the x-axis at (−2,0),
(−1,0),(2,0), (3,0) and the y-axis at (0,12).
b. multiplicity
• If 𝑟 is a zero of odd multiplicity, the graph of (𝑥) crosses the
x-axis at r.
• If 𝑟 is a zero of even multiplicity, the graph of (𝑥) is tangent
to the x-axis at 𝑟.
• Since the root -1 is of even multiplicity 2, then the graph of
the polynomial is tangent to the x-axis at -1.
c. Behavior of the graph
The graph of a polynomial function:
i. comes down from the extreme left and goes up to the extreme
right if n is even and 𝑎𝑛 > 0
ii. comes up from the extreme left and goes up to the extreme
right if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 > 0
iii. comes up from the extreme left and goes down to the extreme
right if n is even and 𝑎𝑛 < 0
iv. comes down from the extreme left and goes down to the
extreme right if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 < 0
c. Behavior of the graph
The graph of a polynomial function:
n is even n is odd
n>0
n<0
c. Behavior of the graph
•If the polynomial the function
𝑃(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 1)2(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3) is written in the standard form then
we have 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑥5 − 𝑥4 − 9𝑥3 + 𝑥2 + 20𝑥 + 12 .
• We can easily see that this is a 5th degree polynomial. Thus, 𝑛 is
odd. The leading term is 𝑥5, 𝑎𝑛 = 1 and 𝑎𝑛 > 0.
• Therefore, the graph of the polynomial comes up from the extreme
left and goes up to the extreme right if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 >0.
d. Number of Turning Points
Remember that the number of turning points in the graph of a
polynomial is strictly less than the degree of the polynomial.
Also, we must note that;
Quartic Functions: have an odd number of turning points; at most
3 turning points
Quintic functions: have an even number of turning points, at most
4 turning points
The number of turning points is at most (𝑛 − 1) .
d. Number of Turning Points
• Forour graph to pass through
the intercepts (−2,0), (2,0), (3,0)
and tangent at (−1,0), there will
be 4 turning points.
e. Table of Signs
Intervals
Test Value
x<-2 -2<x<-1 -1<x<2 2<x<3 x>3
x+1 -3 -1.5 0 2.5 4
x+1 - - + + +
x+2 - - + + +
x-2 - + + + +
x-3 - - - + +
𝑃(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 1)2(𝑥
+ 2)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3) - - - - +
- + + - +
below above above below above
f. Graph
2. Describe and sketch the
behavior of the graph of
𝑦 = 𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 4.
4 2
Need to consider in graphing
polynomial functions:
a. x and y intercepts;
b. multiplicity of roots;
c. behavior of the graph;
d. Table of signs; and
e. number of turning points.
Follow up questions:
1. Are the intercepts enough information for us to
graph polynomials?
2. How can we describe the behavior of the graph
of a polynomial function?
3. Is it possible for the degree of function to be
less than the number of turning points?
Follow up questions:
4. What are the things to identify to sketch the
graph of polynomial functions?
5. How do we sketch the graph of polynomial
functions?
3. Find the following then describe the
behavior of the graph of 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 3
𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 12 and sketch the graph.
2
Need to consider in graphing
polynomial functions:
a. x and y intercepts;
b. multiplicity of roots;
c. behavior of the graph;
d. Table of signs; and
e. number of turning points.
Describe the graph of the following
polynomial functions:
1. 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 𝑥 − 3
3 2
2. 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 11𝑥 - 12
3 2
4. Find the following then describe the
behavior of the graph of 𝑦 = −(𝑥 + 2)
(𝑥 + 1) (𝑥− 1) and sketch the graph.
4 3
Need to consider in graphing
polynomial functions:
a. x and y intercepts;
b. multiplicity of roots;
c. behavior of the graph;
d. Table of values; and
e. number of turning points.
RECAP
Find the following:
a. x- and y-intercepts.
b. multiplicity
• If 𝑟 is a zero of odd multiplicity, the graph of (𝑥) crosses the x-
axis at r.
• If 𝑟 is a zero of even multiplicity, the graph of (𝑥) is tangent to
the x-axis at 𝑟.
c. Behavior of the graph
The graph of a polynomial function:
i. comes down from the extreme left and goes up to the extreme
right if n is even and 𝑎𝑛 > 0
ii. comes up from the extreme left and goes up to the extreme
right if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 > 0
iii. comes up from the extreme left and goes down to the extreme
right if n is even and 𝑎𝑛 < 0
iv. comes down from the extreme left and goes down to the
extreme right if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 < 0
c. Behavior of the graph
The graph of a polynomial function:
n is even n is odd
n>0
n<0
d. Number of Turning Points
Remember that the number of turning points in the graph of a
polynomial is strictly less than the degree of the polynomial.
Also, we must note that;
Quartic Functions: have an odd number of turning points; at most
3 turning points
Quintic functions: have an even number of turning points, at most
4 turning points
The number of turning points is at most (𝑛 − 1) .
e. Table of Signs
Test Value
Intervals
-2<x -2<x<-1 -1<x<1 1<x<2 x>2
-3 -1.5 0 1.5 3
x+1
- - + + +
x-1
- - - + +
x+2
- + + + +
x-2
- - - - +
Given
f(x) + - + - + Behavior
above below above below above of the graph
f. Graph
REAL LIFE APPLICATION
Describe the graph of the following polynomial functions and sketch the graph.
1. 𝑦 = 𝑥3 − 𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 1
2. 𝑦 =(2𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4)
3. 𝑦 = −(x + 2)(x + 1)2 (x − 3)
4. 𝑦=(𝑥+2)2 (𝑥−3) (𝑥+1)
5. p(x) = 2x3 – 7x2 – 7x+ 12
Solve for:
a. Leading term
b. x and y intercepts;
c. multiplicity of roots;
d. behavior of the graph;
e. Table of signs; and
f. number of turning points.
ASSIGNMENT:
A. Follow Up
For the given polynomial function 𝑦 = 𝑥6 + 4𝑥5 + 4𝑥4 −
2𝑥3−5𝑥2 − 2𝑥, describe or determine the following:
a. leading term e. y-intercept
b. behavior of the graph f. number of turning points
c. x-intercepts g. table of signs
d. multiplicity of roots h. sketch
PERFORMANCE TASK 2
Make a 3D roller coaster design by applying
polynomial function. Identify the leading
term, x-and y-intercepts, multiplicity of
roots, behavior of the graph, table of values
and number of turning points.
