CUBIC
FUNCTION
Sit Dolor Amet
Definition Of Cubic Function
A cubic function is a polynomial function of degree 3. So the graph of a
cube function may have a maximum of 3 roots. i.e., it may intersect the
x-axis at a maximum of 3 points. Since complex roots always occur in
pairs, a cubic function always has either 1 or 3 real zeros. It cannot have
2 real zeros.
Let us learn more about a cubic function along with its domain, range,
and the process of graphing it. Let us also learn how to find the critical
points and inflection points of a cube function and let us also see its end
behavior.
What is Cubic Function?
A cubic function is a polynomial function of degree 3 and is of the form
f(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, where a, b, c, and d are real numbers and a ≠ 0.
The basic cubic function (which is also known as the parent
cube function) is f(x) = x3.
Since a cubic function involves an odd degree polynomial, it has at least
one real root. For example, there is only one real number that satisfies x3 =
0 (which is x = 0) and hence the cubic function f(x) = x3 has only one real
root (the other two roots are complex numbers). Here are some examples
of a cubic function.
GRAPHING OF
CUBIC FUNTIONS
A cubic graph is a graphical representation of a
cubic function.
Prior to this topic, you have seen graphs of quadratic
functions. Recall that these are functions of degree two
(i.e. the highest power of x is x2). We learnt that
such functions create a bell-shaped curve called a parabola
and produce at least two roots.
So what about the cubic graph? In the following section, we
will compare cubic graphs to quadratic graphs.
Graphing Cubic Functions
We will now be introduced to graphing cubic functions. There are
three methods to consider when sketching such functions, namely
1.Transformation;
2.Factorisation;
3.Constructing a Table of Values.
With that in mind, let us look into each technique in detail.
Transformation
In Geometry, a transformation is a term used to describe a
change in shape. Likewise, this concept can be applied in
graph plotting. By altering the coefficients or constants for a
given cubic function, you can vary the shape of the curve.
Let's return to our basic cubic function graph, y=x3.
There are three ways in which we can transform this graph. This is described in th
table below.
Form of cubic polynomial Proxima nova variations Plot of graph
• If a is large (> 1), the
graph is stretched
• Varying a vertically (blue curve)
changes the cubic In doing so, the graph gets
Y=ax3 function in the y- closer to the y-axis and the
direction, i.e. the steepness raises.
•If a is small (0 < a < 1), the
coefficient of x3 graph becomes flatter
affects the vertical (orange)
stretching of the graph • If a is negative, the graph Transformation: change
becomes inverted (pink of coefficient a
curve)
Form of cubic polynomial Proxima nova variations Plot of graph
• If k is negative,
the graph moves
Y= x3 + k • Varying k shifts the down k units in
cubic function up or the y-axis (blue
down the y-axis by k curve)
units • If k is positive, the
graph moves up k Transformation: change
units in the y-axis of constant k
(pink curve)
Form of cubic polynomial Proxima nova variations Plot of graph
• If h is negative, the
graph shifts h units to the
Y= (x – h)3 • Varying h changes the left of the x-axis (blue
cubic function along curve)
the x-axis by h units. • If h is positive, the graph
shifts h units to the right Transformation: change
of the x-axis (pink curve) of constant h
Factorisation
In Algebra, factorising is a technique used to simplify lengthy expressions. We
can adopt the same idea of graphing cubic functions.
There are four steps to consider for this method.
Step 1: Factorise the given cubic function.
Step 2: Identify the x-intercepts by setting y=0.
Step 3: Identify the y-intercept by setting x=0.
Step 4: Plot the points and sketch the curve.
What is Factoring Cubic Polynomials?
Factoring cubic polynomials is a process of expressing the cubic
polynomials as a product of their factors. We can find the factors
of a cubic polynomial using long division methods,
algebraic identities, grouping, etc. A cubic polynomial has a
standard form ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, where a, b, c, d are real numbers.
For factoring cubic polynomials, the prime factors of the constant
term help us to find the linear factor of the polynomial. The factors
of a cubic polynomial can be linear or quadratic. It is cubic if the
polynomial has no roots.
Steps for Factoring Cubic Polynomials
The process of factoring cubic polynomials can be done using different
methods. Generally, we follow the steps given below to find the factors of the
cubic polynomials:
•Step 1: Find a root, say 'a', of the cubic polynomial. Then (x - a) is the factor.
(This can be one of the prime factors of the constant term of the polynomial)
•Step 2: Now, divide the linear factor by the cubic polynomial to find a
quadratic factor of the polynomial.
•Step 3: Factorise the quadratic polynomial obtained in step 2 using the
appropriate method (grouping, splitting the middle term, algebraic identities,
etc.), if possible.
•Step 4: Express the given cubic polynomial as a product of its factors.
Let us factorize a cubic polynomial using the grouping method to understand the
process of factoring cubic polynomials.
Example 1: Factorize the cubic polynomial f(x) = x3 − 5x2 + 4x − 20.
Solution: To factorize the polynomial f(x), we will divide it into groups.
f(x) = x3 − 5x2 + 4x − 20
= (x3 − 5x2) + (4x − 20)
= x2 (x - 5) + 4 (x - 5) ---- [Taking common terms out]
= (x - 5) (x2 + 4)
Now, since x2 + 4 does not have real roots, so we have expressed the given cubic
polynomial as a product of its factors (x - 5) and (x2 + 4).
Factoring Cubic Polynomials Using Rational Root
Theorem
The rational root theorem states that the possible roots of a cubic polynomial f(x) =
ax3 + bx2 + cx + d are given by ± (d/a). These roots help us to find the factors of
the cubic polynomial. Let us solve an example based on the rational root theorem
to understand its application.
Example: Factorize the cubic polynomial f(x) = x3 + 5x2 − 2x − 24.
Important Notes on Factoring Cubic
Polynomials
•Factoring cubic polynomials is a process of
expressing the cubic polynomials as a product of
their factors.
•We can find the factors of a cubic polynomial using
long division methods, algebraic identities,
grouping, etc.
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