Section 4.

1
Polynomial Functions and
Models

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(a) f x 3x 4 x 3 x8
(a) f is a polynomial of degree 8.

x2 3
(b) g x
x 1
(b) g is not a polynomial function.
It is the ratio of two distinct polynomials.

(c) h x 5

(d) F x ( x 3)( x 2)

(c) h is a polynomial function of degree 0.

(d) F is a polynomial function of degree 2.

It can be written h x 5 x 0 5.

It can be written F ( x) x 2 x 6.

(e) G x 3 x 4 x 1

1 3 2 2 1
(f) H x x x x
2
3
4

(e) G is not a polynomial function.

The second term does not have a

(f) H is a polynomial of degree 3.

nonnegative integer exponent.

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Summary of the Properties of the Graphs

of Polynomial Functions

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Find a polynomial of degree 3 whose zeros are -4, -2, and 3.

Use a graphing utility to verify your result.

Find a polynomial of degree 3 whose zeros are -4, -2, and 3.

Use a graphing utility to verify your result.

f x a x 4 x 2 x 3 a x 3 3 x 2 10 x 24
f x x 4 x 2 x 3

f x 2 x 4 x 2 x 3

f x x 4 x 2 x 3

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For the polynomial, list all zeros and their multiplicities.

f x 2 x 2 x 1

x 3

2 is a zero of multiplicity 1 because the exponent on the factor x 2 is 1.

1 is a zero of multiplicity 3 because the exponent on the factor x + 1 is 3.
3 is a zero of multiplicity 4 because the exponent on the factor x 3 is 4.

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f x x x 3

f x x x 3

(a) x-intercepts: 0 x x 3

x 0 or x 3 0
2

x 0 or x 3
y -intercept: f 0 0 0 3 0
2

y0

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f x x x 3

f x x x 3

0, 0 , 3, 0

, 0

0,3

3,

f 1 16

f 1 4

f 4 4

Below x-axis

Above x-axis

Above x-axis

1, 16

1, 4

4, 4

f x x x 3

, 0

0,3

3,

f 1 16

f 1 4

f 4 4

Below x-axis

Above x-axis

Above x-axis

1, 16

1, 4

4, 4

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y = 4(x - 2)

y = 4(x - 2)

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f 0 6 so the y intercept is 6.
The degree is 4 so the graph can turn at most 3 times.
For large values of x, end behavior is like x 4 (both ends approach )

f 0 6 so the y intercept is 6.
The degree is 4 so the graph can turn at most 3 times.
For large values of x, end behavior is like x 4 (both ends approach )

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1
has multiplicity 1
2
so the graph crosses there.
The zero

The zero 3 has multiplicity 2

so the graph touches there.
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The polynomial is degree 3 so the

graph can turn at most 2 times.

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The domain and the range of f are

the set of all real numbers.

Decreasing:
Increasing:

2.28, 0.63
, 2.28 and 0.63,
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A cubic relation may exist

between the two variables.

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Cubic function of best fit:

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Cubic function of best fit:

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