6.

3
Evaluating and Graphing
Polynomial Functions
A polynomial function is a function of the form

f(x) = ann x nn + an – 1 x nn––1 1+· · ·+ a 1 x + a 0a 0

Where aann 00and the exponents are all wholenumbers.

For this polynomial function, aann is the leading coefficient,

leading coefficient

aa00 is the constant

constant term
term, and nn is the
degree
degree.

A polynomial function is in standard form if its terms are

right.
written in descending order of exponents from left to right.
You are already familiar with some types of polynomial
functions. Here is a summary of common types of
polynomial functions.

Degree Type Standard Form

0 Constant f (x) = a

1 Linear f (x) = a1x + a

2
2 Quadratic f (x) = a 2 x + a 1 x + a
3 2
3 Cubic f (x) = a 3 x + a 2 x + a 1 x + a
4 3 2
4 Quartic f (x) = a4 x + a 3 x + a 2 x + a 1 x + a
Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

f (x) = 1 x 2 – 3x4 – 7
2

S OLUTION

The function is a polynomial function.

Its standard form is f (x) = – 3x 4 + 1 x 2 – 7.

2
It has degree 4, so it is a quartic function.

The leading coefficient is – 3.

Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

f (x) = x 3 + 3 x

S OLUTION

The function is not a polynomial function because the

term 3 x does not have a variable base and an exponent
that is a whole number.
Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

f (x) = 6x 2 + 2x –1 + x

S OLUTION

The function is not a polynomial function because the term

2x –1 has an exponent that is not a wholenumber.
Identifying Polynomial Functions

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is,

write the function in standard form and state its degree, type
and leading coefficient.

f (x) = – 0.5 x +  x 2 – 2

S OLUTION
The function is a polynomial function.

Its standard form is f (x) =  x2 – 0.5x – 2.

It has degree 2, so it is a quadratic function.

The leading coefficient is .

Identifying Polynomial Functions

Polynomial function?

f (x)= 12 x 2 – 3x 4 – 7

f (x) = x 3 + 3x

f (x) = 6x2 + 2x– 1 + x

f (x) = – 0.5x +  x2 – 2
Using Synthetic Substitution

One way to evaluate polynomial functions is to use

direct substitution.

UUsseessuubbsstituutioonntooeevvaaluuaatee
f (x) = 2x 4 + 8x 2 + 5x  7 when x = 3.
Now use direct substitution:
f (x) = 2x 4 + 8x 2 + 5x  7 when x = 3.

f (x)  2(3)4  8(3)2  5(3)  7

 98
Using Synthetic Substitution

One way to evaluate polynomial functions is to use

direct substitution. Another way to evaluate a polynomial
is to use synthetic substitution.

Use synthetic division to evaluate

f (x) = 2x 4 + 8x 2 + 5x  7 when x = 3.
 Using Synthetic Substitution

S OLUTION Start by writing it in

standard form

2x 4 + 0x 3 + (–8x 2) + 5x + (–7)
Polynomial
Polynomial inin
standardform
standard form

3• 2 0 –8 5 –7
Coefficients
6 18 30 105
x-value
2 6 10 35 98
The value of f (3) is the last number you write,
In the bottom right-hand corner.
Using Synthetic Substitution

Use synthetic division to evaluate

f (x) = x 2 - x 5 + 1 x = -1.
Using Synthetic Substitution

Use synthetic division to evaluate

f (x) = x 2 - x 5 + 1 x = -1.

Did you get 3?

HOMEWORK (DAY 1)

Pg # 333 #16 – 26, 30-

34, 38-46
(Evens only)
If “n” is even, the graph of the polynomial is “U-shaped”
meaning it is parabolic (the higher the degree, the
more curves the graph will have in it).

If “n” is odd, the graph of the polynomial is “snake-like”

meaning looks like a snake (the higher the degree, the
more curves the graph will have in it).
Let’s talk about theLeading
Coefficient Test:
 Leading Coefficient Test
Degree is odd Degree is even
Leading Start high,
Leading Start low, c oeffic ient End high
c oeffic ient End high is positive
is positive

Leading Start low,

Leading Start high, c oeffic ient End low
c oeffic ient End low is negative
is negative
A graph is woJh 999words
 with a positive with a negative
leading coefficient leading coefficient
 with a positive with a negative
leading coefficient leading coefficient
Determine the left and right behavior of the graph
of each polynomial function.

f(x) = x4 + 2x2 – 3x

f(x) = -x5 +3x4 – x

f(x) = 2x3 – 3x2 + 5

 Determine the left and right behavior of the graph
of each polynomial function.

f(x) = x4 + 2x2 – 3x

Even, Leading coefficient 1 (positive) , starts high

ends high

f(x) = -x5 +3x4 – x

Odd, Leading coefficient 1 (negative) , starts
high ends low

f(x) = 2x3 – 3x2 + 5

ODD , Leading coefficient 2 (positive) , starts
LOW ends HIGH
 Tell me what you know about the
equation…

Odd / Even ?

Leading coefficient Positive or Negative?

 Tell me what you know about the
equation…

Odd / Even ?

Leading coefficient Positive or Negative?

 Tell me what you know about the
equation…

Odd / Even ?

Leading coefficient Positive or Negative?

Tell me what you know about the
equation…
Fundamental Thm of Algebra
Zeros of Polynomial Functions:
1. The graph of f has at most n real
zeros

The “n” deals

with the
highest
exponent!
How many zeros do these graphs
have????
 G RAPHING P OLYNOMIAL F UNCTIONS

The end behavior of a polynomial function’s graph

is the behavior of the graph as x approaches infinity
(+ ) or negative infinity (– ). The expression
x +  is read as “x approaches positive infinity.”
G RAPHING P OLYNOMIAL F UNCTIONS

END BEHAVIOR
 Graphing Polynomial Functions

Graph f (x) = x 3 + x 2 – 4x – 1.

S OLUTION

To graph the function, make a table of

values and plot the corresponding points.
Connect the points with a smooth curve
and check the end behavior.

x –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3
f(x)
 Graphing Polynomial Functions

Graph f (x) = x 3 + x 2 – 4x – 1.

S OLUTION

To graph the function, make a table of

values and plot the corresponding points.
Connect the points with a smooth curve
and check the end behavior.

x –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3
f(x) –7 3 3 –1 –3 3 23
 Graphing Polynomial Functions

Graph f (x) = –x 4 – 2x 3 + 2x 2 + 4x.

S OLUTION

To graph the function, make a table of

values and plot the corresponding points.
Connect the points with a smooth curve
and check the end behavior.

x –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3
f (x)
 Graphing Polynomial Functions

Graph f (x) = –x 4 – 2x 3 + 2x 2 + 4x.

S OLUTION

To graph the function, make a table of

values and plot the corresponding points.
Connect the points with a smooth curve
and check the end behavior.

x –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3
f (x) –21 0 –1 0 3 –16 –105
Assignment

Pg 334 # 49 – 52,
54- 64,
66-72 evens