Polynomial Functions

Introduction into Polynomial Functions

What is a polynomial function?

A polynomial function is a function with the form:

Where the exponents are all whole numbers and the coefficients are all
real numbers.

What is the leading coefficient?

What is the degree of the polynomial function?
What is the constant term?
Properties of Exponents Adding and Subtracting Poly.
 Examples

1. 42 47

2. 4
2 7

3. (3 2) 5

4. 8 2

5. 4x 2
3x (2x 2
2x)

6. 5x 2x 7x (3x 4x 9x )
7 3 2 5 3 2

7. 7x x 7x (3x 4 x 4x )
5 3 2 4 3 2

 The properties of exponents also apply to function variables.

1 x 7 9x 9 y 5
1. x 3 3 x 73 x 4
7
2. 4 2 3x y 3x 5 y 3
94 52
x x 3x y
Evaluating Polynomial Functions

Polynomial functions are written in standard form. Standard form is

when the terms are written in descending order of exponents from left
to right.
Identifying Different Functions

Linear Quadratic Cubic

End Behaviors

Positive Odd Functions Positive Even Functions

Negative Odd Functions Negative Even Functions

 Activity

Participate and then write down the end behaviors

1. 5x 4 3. 8x 3 x 3

2. 7x 3x 2x 7x 2 x
5 4 4
4. 9x

Evaluate a polynomial function using direct substitution. For instance,

f x 5x 4 3x 2 4x 5, when x 3.

f 3 53 33 4 3 5
4 2

581 39 43 5

405 27 12 5

395 .

to evaluate the polynomial function for x 2,0,2 .

Use direct substitution

Determine the end behavior.