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Poly Function

The document explains key characteristics of polynomial functions, including their smooth and continuous graphs, turning points where the graph changes direction, and end behavior determined by the leading coefficient test. It highlights that a quartic polynomial can have multiple turning points and describes how to analyze the end behavior using the degree and sign of the leading coefficient. An example of a quadratic function is provided to illustrate these concepts.

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Tamarah Romero
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11 views5 pages

Poly Function

The document explains key characteristics of polynomial functions, including their smooth and continuous graphs, turning points where the graph changes direction, and end behavior determined by the leading coefficient test. It highlights that a quartic polynomial can have multiple turning points and describes how to analyze the end behavior using the degree and sign of the leading coefficient. An example of a quadratic function is provided to illustrate these concepts.

Uploaded by

Tamarah Romero
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Polynomial function

Graphs of polynomial functions


The graph of a polynomial function of degree 2 or higher is smooth and
continuous. The graph is smooth because it has only rounded curves with no
sharp corners. The graph is continuous because it has no breaks ans can be
drawn without lifting your pencil.
Turning points of polynomial functions
A turning point of a polynomial function is a point where the graph changes
direction from increasing to decreasing or vice versa.

The graph in the figure immediately above has three turning points shown with
a black dot, a green dot, and a blue dot. Therefore, this is the graph of a
quartic polynomial function or a polynomial of degree 4.

Turning points can be maxima and/or minima.


End behavior of a polynomial function
The end behavior is the behavior of a graph of a function to the far left or to
the far right. Although a polynomial function will increase or decrease in some
intervals, the polynomial will eventually rise or fall without bound.

The leading coefficient test is used to determine whether the graph goes up
or down at each end. As the name suggests, the test depends on the leading
term anxn

In particular, the test depends on the sign of the leading coefficient and the
degree n of the polynomial function.

For example, using the leading coefficient test, determine the end behavior of
the parabola of f(x) = 4x2 + x - 4

Solution
First, identify the degree of the polynomial and the sign of the leading
coefficient.

The degree of the polynomial is 2 and it is even.

The leading coefficient is 4 and it is positive.

Therefore, the graph rises to the left and rises to the right.

Source:

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