Graphs of Polynomial Functions

E.Q: What can we learn about a polynomial from its graph?

Basic Polynomial Shapes Basic form axn where a is a constant and n is

a non-negative integer Odd polynomials- highest exponent is odd (3,

5, 7) Even polynomials- highest exponent is even

(2, 4, 6) Odd and even polynomials have similarities in

their shapes

Odd Polynomials A>0 A<0

Even Polynomials A>0 A<0

Continuity Every graph of a polynomial is continuous Unbroken curve No jumps No sharp corners

End Behavior Consider the function f(x)=2x3+x2-6x and the

function determined by its leading coefficient g(x)=2x3

Hit zoom 6 on the calculator Graph f and g. Record their differences and similarities on a

sheet of paper in your group Change the window to -20<x<20 and -

10,000<y<10,000 and graph f and g Do the windows look almost the same?

Describe any changes on your sheet of paper

End Behavior Looks at the shape of a polynomial graph at

the far left and far right of the graph Common characteristics exist between odd

and even degree polynomials When a polynomial function has an odd

degree, one end of the graph shoots upward and one end shoots downward

When a polynomial function has an even degree, both ends of the graph shoot upward or downward

End Behavior The end behavior of the graph of the

polynomial is the same as the end behavior of the graph of the leading term or highest exponent.

Even or Odd

Even or Odd?

Describe the end behavior of 3x7+5x+1040

Intercepts For any polynomial function

Y intercept is the constant term in the equation X intercepts are the real zeros of the polynomial

Found using synthetic division or zero finder on calculatorMay need to use both synthetic division and the zero finder to completely factor real solutions

A polynomial will always have one y intercept

Will have n real zeros where n is the value of the highest exponent

Multiplicity Sometimes polynomials have repeating

factors Consider 2x5-10x4+7x3+13x2+3x+9 Linear factors are (x+1)(x-3)(x-3)(2x2+1) The (x-3) is a factor twice This is called multiplicity Can write the factors as (x+1)(x-3)2(2x2+1)

Multiplicity If x-r is a factor of the polynomial that occurs

more than once we say it has multiplicity. General rules govern the idea of multiplicity If the multiplicity occurs as an odd number

The graph crosses the x axis at c If the multiplicity occurs as an even number

The graph does not cross the axis, it only touches the axis

Will the multiplicity cause the graph to cross or touch the x axis? F(x)=(x+1)2(x-2)(x-3)3

Local Extrema and Points of Inflection

What relationship do you notice between number of bumps and degree of polynomial?Degree Number of bumps

1

2

3

4

5

6

The relationship For a polynomial of degree n, there are at

most n-1 “bumps” Formally known as local extrema Local extrema- either a local minimum or

maximum point Where the graph has a peak or a valley Here the output changes from increasing to

decreasing or vice versa

Points of Inflection Inflection points occur where you have local

extrema. Here the concavity of the graph changes The graph of a polynomial of degree n with n

greater than or equal to 2 has at most n-2 points of inflection

The graph of an odd degree polynomial with n>2 has at least one point of inflection

Choosing the answer First rule out the choices with too many

bumps (peaks and valleys) What is the maximum number of bumps I can

have?

Think about end behavior- which way should this go, one up, one down, or both ends in the same direction?

Look at multiplicity- which may add up to a sixth degree polynomial?