Polynomial Functions and Their
Graphs
Objectives
Identify polynomial functions
Recognize characteristics of graphs of
polynomial functions
Determine end behavior
Use factoring to find zeros of polynomial
functions
Identify zeros and their multiplicities
Use the Intermediate Value Theorem
Understand the relationship between degree
and turning points
Graph polynomial functions
Polynomial Functions
A polynomial function has all of its
variables with exponents which are positive
integers. It is not a polynomial function if a
variable has a negative exponent or if the
exponent is a fraction.
Which of the following are polynomial functions?
n
o
n
o
ye
s
ye
s
The Degree of a Function
What is the degree of the following
functions?
The Leading Coefficient
The polynomial function has a leading
coefficient. Once the function is written in
descending order of degree, the leading
coefficient is the coefficient of the term
with the highest degree.
Find the leading coefficient and degree of each
polynomial function.
Polynomial Function Leading Coefficient
Degree
f ( x) = −2 x5 + 3x3 − 5 x + 1
f ( x) = x3 + 6 x 2 − x + 7
END BEHAVIOR OF POLYNOMIAL
FUNCTIONS
The behavior of the graph of a function to the far
left and far right is called its end behavior.
Although the graph of a polynomial function may
have intervals where it increases or decreases, the
graph will eventually rise or fall without bound as it
moves far to the left or far to the right.
How can we determine the end behavior of a
polynomial function? We look only at the term with
the highest degree.
The Leading Coefficient Test
Look for the term with the highest
degree.
Is the coefficient greater than or less
than 0?
Is the exponent even or odd?
The answers to these questions will
help us to determine the end behavior
of the polynomial function.
If the leading coefficient is positive with an
even degree to its variable, the graph rises
to the left and rises to the right (, ).
Example: f(x) = x²
If the leading coefficient is negative with
an even degree to its variable, the graph
falls to the left and falls to the right (, ).
Example: f(x) = − x²
If the leading coefficient is positive with
an odd degree to its variable, the graph
falls to the left and rises to the right (,
).
Example: f(x) = x³
If the leading coefficient is negative with
an odd degree to its variable, the graph
rises to the left and falls to the right (, ).
Example: f(x) = − x³
Illustrative examples:
End behavior - Polynomial functions always go
towards ∞ or -∞ at either end of the graph
f (x) = x2 f (x) = -x2
f (x) = x 3 f (x) = -x3
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Using the Leading Coefficient
Test
If the leading coefficient is positive
with an even degree to its variable,
the graph rises to the left and rises
to the right (, ).
Using the Leading Coefficient
Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph
of…
f(x) = x³ + 3x − x − 3
If the leading coefficient is positive
with an odd degree to its variable,
the graph falls to the left and rises
to the right (, ).
Using the Leading Coefficient
Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph
of…
f(x) = − 2x³ + 3x − x − 3
If the leading coefficient is negative
with an odd degree to its variable, the
graph rises to the left and falls to the
right (, ).
Using the Leading Coefficient
Test
If the leading coefficient is negative
with an even degree to its variable,
the graph falls to the left and falls to
the right (, ).
Using the Leading Coefficient Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph
of…
f(x) = 3x³(x − 1)(x + 5)
Because these terms and
expressions are each multiplied by
each other, we add their degrees.
3+1+1=5
If the leading coefficient is positive with
an odd degree to its variable, the graph
falls to the left and rises to the right (, ).
Using the Leading Coefficient
Test
Determine the end behavior of the graph
of…
f(x) = − 4x³(x − 1)²(x + 5)
Add the degrees
If the leading coefficient is negative with
an even degree to its variable, the graph
falls to the left and falls to the right (, ).
