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

Examples
1. 4

4 7

2.

2 7

(4 )

3. (3

2) 5

4. 8

5.

60

45
6. 2
4

2 3
7.
3

The properties of exponents also apply to function variables.

1 x7
73
= x 4
3 =
3 = x
1. x
x x
7

9x 9 y 5
94 52
y = 3x 5 y 3
4 2 = 3x
2.
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
4

1. 5x

3. 8x

2. 7x 3x + 2x

4. 9x

+ x 3

+ 7x 2 + x

Evaluate a polynomial function using direct substitution. For instance,

f ( x ) = 5x 4 3x 2 + 4 x + 5 , when x = 3.
f ( 3) = 5( 3) 3( 3) + 4 ( 3) + 5
4

= 5(81) 3(9) + 4( 3) + 5
= 405 27 +12 + 5

= 395 .

Use direct substitution to evaluate the polynomial function for

x = 2,0,2 .

Determine the end behavior.