Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
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Polynomial Functions
Polynomial functions in standard form:
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + 𝑎𝑛−2 𝑥 𝑛−2 + ⋯ + 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0
𝑛 ∈𝑊
Examples:
Degree of polynomial function:
Leading Term and Leading coefficient:
Example 1: Decide which of the following functions are polynomial functions.
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 − 𝑥 − 3𝑥 9
3
b) ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 7
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c) 𝑦 = −4𝑥 2016 − √5𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 2
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d) 𝑦 = 2 √𝑥 + 𝑥
e) 𝑓(𝑥) = 8(2𝑥 + 7)3 − 3
f) 𝑥 = 𝑦 4
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Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Power Functions is a polynomial function of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 .
𝑛=0
𝑛=1
𝑛=2
𝑛=3
𝑛=4
𝑛=5
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Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
𝑛=6
End Behaviour:
When 𝑛 is odd: If 𝑎 > 0:
If 𝑎 < 0:
Type of Symmetry:
When 𝑛 is even: If 𝑎 > 0:
If 𝑎 < 0:
Type of Symmetry:
Power Functions and Transformations:
Example 2: 𝑦 = 𝑥 4
1 1 4
a) 𝑦 = − 2 𝑥 4 b) 𝑦 = (2 𝑥) c) 𝑦 = −𝑥 4 + 3
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Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Characteristics of Polynomial Functions
Leading term 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 will indicate the end behaviour of a polynomial function of degree 𝑛.
𝑛=0
𝑛=1
𝑛=2
𝑛=3
𝑛=4
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Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
𝑛=5
𝑛=6
Summary:
𝒏 # of possible zeros (𝒙 − intercepts) # of possible turning points (local extrema)
2
3
4
5
6
Maximum number of turning points (local extrema) compared to degree 𝑛:
For example, for a polynomial function that has 7 local extrema, what is its minimum degree?
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Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Number of zeros (𝑥 − intercepts) compared to degree 𝑛:
𝑛 is even:
𝑛 is odd:
Example 3:
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 5 + 2𝑥 4 − 1
b) 𝑓(𝑥) = (2𝑥 − 3)2 (𝑥 + 4)(1 − 𝑥 2 )(𝑥 − 1)
Indicate each function’s leading term, degree, end behaviour.
Example 4: From the graph of the polynomial function, indicate the least possible degree and
the sign of its leading coefficient.
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Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Factored Form of Polynomial Functions
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘(𝑥 − 𝑟1 )(𝑥 − 𝑟2 ) … … (𝑥 − 𝑟𝑛 )
Example 5: Given 𝑓(𝑥) = −4𝑥(𝑥 − 4)(2𝑥 + 1)2
a) Find its zeros and their orders.
b) What is the leading term and end behaviour?
c) Determine the 𝑦 − intercept and graph the function.
Not all polynomial function can be expressed in completely factored form.
For example, 𝑓(𝑥) = (3𝑥 − 5)(2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2)
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Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Example 6: Determine the equation of the polynomial function from its graph.
a) cxzc b)
Example 7: Determine the equation of a quintic function with zeros −3, −1, 1, −2 ± √5𝑖.
