March 24, 2008

Cubic Functions

Vocabulary

Cubic Function: a polynomial function of degree 3.

Zero: For a polynomial function f, each solution of the equation f(x) = 0

Story Problem Example: Intro

Scenario:
A space shuttle travels at a speed of
S(t) = 0.000559t^3 + 0.0303t^2 + 13.6t
Travels at above speed until the booster rockets fall off at height of 3000 miles.

For the answer, plug the equation into the calculator and find intersection so:

Y= 0.000559x^3 + 0.0303x^2 + 13.6x

Y= 3000
Set your minimums and maximums and the picture should look like…

The answer is 118.917

Cubic – Standard Form

Cubic form equation: f(x) = ax³ + bx² + cx + d

Intercept form of Cubic form equation: f(x) = a(x-p) (x-q) (x-r)

- p, q, r are the intercepts
 - So in a graph p, q, and r would be (graph to the
left)

From Intercepts to Standard Cubic Equation

You want to get f(x) = ax³ + bx² + cx + d out of f(x) = a(x-p) (x-q) (x-r).

Example: Intercepts given are -5, -3, 0. The equations passes through the points (1, -6)

Plug in points into the intercept form

f(x) = a (x-p) (x-q) (x-r)

f(x) = a (x + 5) (x + 3) (x - 0)
Since x – o = x, we can move x to the front. We end up with…
f(x) = ax(x + 5) (x + 3)

To find the missing “a”…

Add in the given coordinates..
-6 = a (1) (1 + 5) (1 + 3)
-6 = a (1) (6) (4)
-6 = 24a
a = -¼

To write the final equation, add in all the components…

f(x) = -¼x (x + 5) (x + 3)
f(x) = -¼x (x + 5) (x + 3) is the final answer

From Intercepts to Graphing

- -5, -3 are the intercepts

- -¼ is the steepness of the line
- f(x) = -¼x (x + 5) (x + 3) should look like
 Standard From and Factoring (VERY IMPORTANT)
From f(x) = (x + p) (x + q) (x + r) to x³ + x² + x = 0 .. etc.

Factor Theorem: States let f(x) be a polynomial. Then x – k is a fact iff (if and only if) f(k) =
0.

g(x) = x³ - 7x² + 4x + 12

Step 1: Find the factors of 12.

In this case, the factors would be +/- 1 , +/- 2, +/- 3, +/- 4, +/- 6

Step 2: Use synthetic substitution for all of the factors until the remainder is zero. (guess and
check)