Polynomial Functions

and their Graphs

Section 3.1

General Shape of Polynomial Graphs

The

graph of polynomials are smooth,

unbroken lines or curves, with no sharp
corners or cusps (see p. 251).
Every Polynomial function is defined and
continuous for all real numbers.

Review
General

polynomial formula

P ( x) an x an 1 x
n

a0,
n

n 1

... a1 x a0

a1, ,an are constant coefficients

is the degree of the polynomial

Standard form is for descending powers of x
anxn is said to be the leading term
term

Family of Polynomials
Constant

f(x) = a

Linear

polynomial functions

polynomial functions

f(x) = mx + b

Quadratic

polynomial functions

f(x) = ax2 + bx + c

Family of Polynomials
Cubic

polynomial functions

f(x) = a x3 + b x2 + c x + d
3rd degree polynomial

Quartic

polynomial functions

f(x) = a x4 + b x3 + c x2+ d x + e
4th degree polynomial

Polynomial End Behavior

Behavior
what happens when x gets very
large in positive and negative direction

Consider

Called end behavior

Also long-run behavior

leading term anxn

dominates the shape of graph
There are 4 possible scenarios:
Basically, the

End Behavior
Discuss end behavior for the following graphs:
P ( x) 2 x 5 x 4 x 7
4

P( x) 2 x 5 x 4 6 x 2 10

P( x) 3x 5 x 2 x
5

Compare Graph Behavior

Consider the following graphs:
f(x) = x4 - 4x3 + 16x - 16
g(x) = x4 - 4x3 - 4x2 +16x
h(x) = x4 + x3 - 8x2 - 12x
Graph

these on the window

-8 < x < 8
and
0 < y < 4000
Decide how these functions are alike or
different, based on the view of this graph

Compare Graph Behavior

From

this view, they appear very similar

Compare Short Run Behavior

Now

Change the window to be

-5 < x < 5 and -35 < y < 15

How

do the functions appear to be different

from this view?

Compare Short Run Behavior

Differences?
Real zeros
Local extrema
Complex zeros

Note: The standard form of the polynomials does not

give any clues as to this short run behavior of the
polynomials:

Using Zeros to Graph Polynomials

Consider
p(x)

What

the following polynomial:

= (x - 2)(2x + 3)(x + 5)

will the zeros be for this polynomial?

=2
x = -3/2
x = -5
How

do you know?

Zero-Factor

Property: If a*b = 0 then, we know

that either a = 0 or b = 0 (or both)

Guidelines to Graphing
Zeros
Test

Points (like table of signs)

End Behavior
Graph (a smooth curve through all
known points)

Intermediate Value Theorem

If

P is a polynomial function and P(a) and

P(b) have opposite signs, then there is at
least one value c between a and b for which
P(c) = 0.

Theorem
Local

Extrema of Polynomial Functions:

A polynomial function of degree n has at most

n - 1 local extrema.

Local Extrema (turning points)

Local

Extrema a point (x,y) on the graph

where the graph changes from increasing to
decreasing or vice-versa.