Polynomial and Rational Functions
Polynomials:
•
A polynomial is a mathematical expression that consists of variables, coef cients, and non-
negative integer exponents.
• The general form of a polynomial can include terms like ax^(n)+bx^(n−1)+...+k, where
a,b,k are coef cients, and n is a non-negative integer.
• Common types of polynomials include:
◦ Monomial: A polynomial with one term (e.g., 5x).
◦ Binomial: A polynomial with two terms (e.g., x + 2).
◦ Trinomial: A polynomial with three terms (e.g., x^2 + 3x + 4).
Degree of a Polynomial:
•
The degree of a polynomial is the highest exponent of its variable.
•
Polynomials can be classi ed by their degree:
◦ Degree 0: Constant
◦ Degree 1: Linear
◦ Degree 2: Quadratic
◦ Degree 3: Cubic
◦ Degree 4: Quartic
◦ Degree 5: Quintic
Rational Functions:
• A rational function is a ratio of two polynomials.
• It has the form P(x)/Q(x), where P(x) and Q(x) are polynomials, and Q(x) is not zero.
P(x)/Q(x)P(x)/Q(x)
P(x)P(x)
Q(x)Q(x)
Q(x)Q(x)
• Key characteristics include:
◦ Domain: The set of all possible input values (x-values). Exclude values that make
the denominator zero.
◦ Vertical Asymptotes: Vertical lines where the function approaches in nity or
negative in nity.
◦ Horizontal Asymptotes: Horizontal lines that the function approaches as x goes to
positive or negative in nity.
• De nition:
◦ A polynomial is an expression made up of variables, coef cients, and non-negative
integer exponents.
◦ They can be represented by various terms combined through addition, subtraction,
and multiplication.
• Components of Polynomials:
◦ Variables: The letters in the expression (e.g., x, y).
◦ Coef cients: The numerical factors that multiply the variables (e.g., in 3x, 3 is the
coef cient).
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◦ Exponents: Non-negative integers that indicate the power to which a variable is
raised.
• Types of Polynomials:
◦ Monomial:
▪ A polynomial with only one term.
▪ Example: 5x (where 5 is the coef cient and x is the variable).
◦ Binomial:
▪ A polynomial with two distinct terms.
▪ Example: x + 2 (composed of x and 2).
◦ Trinomial:
▪ A polynomial with three terms.
▪ Example: x² + 3x + 4 (includes x², 3x, and 4).
• Degree of a Polynomial:
◦ The degree is determined by the term with the highest exponent.
◦ Classi cation by degree:
▪ Degree 0: Constant polynomials (e.g., 5).
▪ Degree 1: Linear polynomials (e.g., 2x + 1).
▪ Degree 2: Quadratic polynomials (e.g., x² + 3).
▪ Degree 3: Cubic polynomials (e.g., x³ + 2x + 1).
▪ Degree 4: Quartic polynomials (e.g., x⁴ + x² + 1).
▪ Degree 5: Quintic polynomials (e.g., x⁵ + 3x²).
• Key Features of Polynomials:
◦ End Behavior: Describes how the polynomial behaves as the variable approaches
positive or negative in nity.
◦ Roots/Zeros: The values of the variable that make the polynomial equal to zero.
These can be found graphically or through factoring.
◦ Graph Shape: The graph of a polynomial is smooth and continuous, with curves
determined by the degree and leading coef cient.
Rational Functions
• De nition:
◦ A rational function is formed by dividing one polynomial by another.
◦ It can be expressed as the ratio of two polynomials.
• Key Characteristics:
◦ Domain:
▪ The domain consists of all possible x-values for the function.
▪ Values that make the denominator zero must be excluded from the domain.
◦ Vertical Asymptotes:
▪ Vertical lines where the function approaches in nity or negative in nity.
▪ Occur at x-values where the denominator equals zero (provided these values
are not canceled out).
◦ Horizontal Asymptotes:
▪ Horizontal lines that represent the value that the function approaches as x
goes to in nity or negative in nity.
▪ Determined by the degrees of the numerator and denominator:
▪ If the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the
denominator, the horizontal asymptote is y = 0.
▪ If the degrees are equal, the asymptote is y = (leading coef cient of
numerator) / (leading coef cient of denominator).
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▪ If the degree of the numerator is greater, there is no horizontal
asymptote.
• Graphing Rational Functions:
◦ The graph may have holes where a common factor in the numerator and denominator
cancels out.
◦ The behavior near vertical asymptotes can be studied to understand how the graph
approaches these lines.
• Applications of Rational Functions:
◦ Used in various elds such as physics, economics, and biology to model real-world
situations where one quantity depends inversely on another.
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