Warm

Up 5.2
Divide 3 x 3 +
17
x 2 +
21
x 11
by x + 3

Find the other factors of the polynomial, given one factor.

f (x ) = x3 12 x 2 + 36 x 32; (x 2)

One zero of the function below is 4. What are the others?

f (x ) = x 3 + x 2 16 x 16

Unit 5: Polynomials and Polynomial

Functions

Target 5.2
EVALUATE AND GRAPH
POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS (5.2)

A polynomial is a monomial or a sum of monomials.

Degree Name

Highest
exponent

Constant

Linear

Quadratic

Cubic

Quartic

Standard Form Example

f ( x) = 3
Descending order
f ( x) = 2 x 1
f ( x) = 2 x 2 +5x 1
f ( x) = 0.5x3 x 2 + 2
f ( x) = 5x 4 + 3x3 2 x 2 + x 7

Things that are not polynomials:

1. Negative exponents: f (x ) = 3x 2 +4 x 1
2. Variables in exponents: f (x ) = 5 x 3x 2

Leading coecient

Lets investigate the end behavior of polynomial functions, and

explore the eect that the degree and leading coecient have on
end behavior.
Even degree

Pos. LC

Neg. LC

Odd degree

Describe the degree (even or odd) and the leading coecient

(positive or negative) of the polynomial that would produce the
graph.

Think youve got it?

Good! Because its time to DANCE!!
Stand up, and give me your best disco pose to indicate the end
behavior of the polynomial with the given degree and leading
coecient!

2x

6x

1 5
x
2

x
3

3x 20
2.4 x
2

3x 2
100

4.5 x

3x 3x + x 2

Evaluate.
4

f (x ) = 2 x 5x 4 x + 8 when x = 3

or Find f(3).

Besides substituting 3 for x (or checking the Table) as weve done

before, we can also use a process called synthetic substitution to
evaluate a function at a given value.

Sketch the graph of a polynomial.

1. Determine the end behavior.
2. Use [Table] or synthetic substitution to plot 5-7 points.
3. Connect points with a smooth curve.

f (x ) = x 3 + x 2 + 3 x 3