Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
First Name: ___________________ Last Name: _________________ Student ID: ________
Polynomial Functions
Polynomial Function
Polynomial functions are functions that have this form:
➢ The value of n must be a ______________________
➢ The ________________________ are 𝒂𝒏 , 𝒂𝒏−𝟏 , … , 𝒂𝟏 , 𝒂𝟎 . These are real number.
➢ The ___________________ of the polynomial function is the highest value for n where an is
not equal to 0.
➢ 𝒂𝒏 is called ___________________ and 𝒂𝒏 𝒙𝒏 is called ___________________________.
Example 1: Establish which of the following functions are polynomial functions. Justify your answer.
If it is polynomial, please identify the degree.
3
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 3𝑥 8 d. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 2
2
8 8
b. 𝑦 = −4𝑥 2016 − √5𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 2 e. 𝑦 = 2 √𝑥 + 𝑥 5
c. 𝑔(𝑥) = 8(2𝑥 + 7)3 − 3 f. 𝑥 = 𝑦 4
Power Functions
A power function is a polynomial of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 , where n is a whole number.
Even Degree Power Functions
General Shape End Behaviour: ___________________________________
___________________________________
Type of Symmetry: _____________________
Domain: _________________________
Range: ___________________________
1
Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
As the degree of the function increases, the graph of the function _______________________
Odd Degree Power Functions
General Shape End Behaviour: ___________________________________
___________________________________
Type of Symmetry: _____________________
Domain: ____________________________
Range: ____________________________
As the degree of the function increases, the graph of the function _____________________
Leading Coefficient
For function 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒂𝒙𝒏
0<a<1 a>1
Value of a a=1 a<0 or or
0 > a > -1 a < -1
Effect
Even Degree
Graph
Odd Degree
Graph
2
Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Power Functions & Transformations Investigation
Function 𝑦 = 𝑥3
Graph
Function 𝑦 = 𝑥3 + 2 𝑦 = 𝑥3 − 2 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 2)3 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 2)3
Graph
1 1
Function 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 𝑦 = 𝑥3 3 𝑦 = ( 𝑥)3
2 𝑦 = (2𝑥) 2
Graph
Function 𝑦 = −𝑥 3 𝑦 = (−𝑥)3
Graph
3
Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Graphing Polynomial Functions Investigation
Determine the number of x-intercept and local max/min points for the
following function.
Number of
x-intercepts
Number of Local
Max/Min Points
Constant Functions Function 𝒚=𝟏 𝒚 = −𝟕
a) How many x-intercepts can a
Constant Function have?
Graph
b) What is the maximum number of # of
max/min points that a Constant
x-intercepts
Function can have?
# of Local
Max/Min
Points
Linear Function
Function 𝒚=𝒙 𝒚 = −𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏 𝒚 = 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟖
Factored
Graph
4
Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
# of X-Intercept
# of Local Max/Min
Points
a) How many x-intercepts can a Linear b) What is the maximum number of
Function have? max/min points that a Linear Function can
have?
Quadratic Functions
Function 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟓 𝒚 = −𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟏𝟏
Factored
Graph
# of X-Intercept
# of Local Max/Min
Points
a) How many x-intercepts can a Quadratic b) What is the maximum number of
Function have? max/min points that a Quadratic Function can
have?
Cubic Functions
Function 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟒𝒙 𝒚 = −𝟐𝒙𝟑 +𝟕𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟑
Factored 𝑦 = −1(2𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 3)
5
Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Graph
# of X-Intercept
# of Local
Max/Min Points
a) How many x-intercepts can a Cubic b) What is the maximum number of max/min
Function have? points that a Cubic Function can have?
Quartic Functions
Function 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟒 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟒 − 𝟒𝒙𝟐 𝒚 = 𝟐. 𝟓𝒙𝟒 − 𝟏𝟐. 𝟓𝒙𝟑 + 𝟏𝟓. 𝟓𝒙𝟐 −
𝟐. 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟑
Factored 𝑦 = 0.5(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3)(5𝑥 2 + 1)
Graph
# of X-Intercept
# of Local
Max/Min Points
a) How many x-intercepts can a Quartic b) What is the maximum number of
Function have? max/min points that a Quartic Function can
have?
6
Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Quintic Functions
Function 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟓 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟓 − 𝟐𝒙 𝒚 = 𝟓𝒙𝟓 − 𝟓𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒𝒙
Factored 𝑦 = 𝑥(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 −
1)(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
Graph
# of X-Intercept
# of Local Max/Min
Points
Function 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟓 − 𝒙𝟒 − 𝟓𝒙𝟑 + 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙𝟓 − 𝟏𝟐𝒙𝟒 + 𝟐𝟒. 𝟐𝒙𝟑 − 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟓 + 𝒙𝟒 − 𝟓𝒙𝟑 −
𝟓𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟒 𝟏𝟕. 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐. 𝟒𝒙 − 𝟏. 𝟔 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟖𝒙 − 𝟒
Factored 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑥 + 𝑦 = 0.2(𝑥 − 2)3 (10𝑥 2 + 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 2)2 (𝑥 − 1)3
2)(𝑥 − 2) 1)
Graph
# of X-Intercept
# of Local Max/Min
Points
a) How many x-intercepts can a Quintic b) What is the maximum number of
Function have? max/min points that a Quintic Function can
have?
7
Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
How does the maximum number of local max/min points compare to the degree of the function?
Predict the degree of a function that has 7 local max/min points.
How does the number of x-intercepts that a function can have compare to the degree of the
function?
Predict the degree of a function that has 11 x-intercepts.
What relationship do you notice between the factored form of the equation and the graph of the
function?
Characteristics of Polynomial Functions
Local Minimum and Maximum Points:
Let’s look at the graph of the polynomial function defined
by 𝑦 = 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 − 23𝑥 − 12.
In general, polynomial function graphs consist of a smooth line with
a series of hills and valleys. The hills and valleys are called
___________________________. Each turning point corresponds to a ___________________
or a ______________________
The maximum possible number of local min/max points is ______ less than the degree of
the polynomial.
Example: The polynomial above 𝑦 = 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 − 23𝑥 − 12 has degree __________ and
has ________ local minimums and _______ local maximum, for a total of ________ turning
points.
8
Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Zero (or x-intercepts) of polynomial functions
A zero of a polynomial function is an x value for which 𝑦 = 0. At these x values, its graph cuts
or touches the x axis.
• The maximum number of zeros of any polynomial is the ______________ its degree.
Example: The polynomial function 𝑦 = 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 − 23𝑥 − 12, graphed above, has
________ zeros at 𝑥 = _____________________________. This polynomial _____________ the x-axis
at -4 and 3, but only _____________ the x-axis at 𝑥 = −1.
• Even-degree polynomials may not • Odd-degree polynomials must
have zeros. have at least one zero.
Key Features of Graphs of Polynomial Functions with Odd Degree
• Odd-degree polynomial have at least one zero, up to a maximum of n x-intercepts, where
n is the degree of the function.
• The domain is {𝑥 ∈ 𝑅} and the range is {𝑦 ∈ 𝑅}.
• They have no maximum point and no minimum point.
• They may have point symmetry.
Positive Leading Coefficient
• Graph extends from quadrant 3 to quadrant 1.
OR “as 𝑥 ⟶ −∞, 𝑦 ⟶ −∞” and “as 𝑥 ⟶ ∞, 𝑦 ⟶ ∞”
Negative Leading Coefficient
• Graph extends from quadrant 2 to quadrant 4.
OR “as 𝑥 ⟶ −∞, 𝑦 ⟶ ∞” and “as 𝑥 ⟶ ∞, 𝑦 ⟶ −∞”
9
Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Key Features of Graphs of Polynomial Functions with Even Degree
• Even-degree polynomial have no zeros, up to a maximum of n x-intercepts, where n is
the degree of the function.
• The domain is {𝑥 ∈ 𝑅}.
• They may have a line of symmetry.
Positive Leading Coefficient
• Graph extends from quadrant 2 to quadrant 1.
OR “as 𝑥 ⟶ −∞, 𝑦 ⟶ ∞” and “as 𝑥 ⟶ ∞, 𝑦 ⟶ ∞”
• The range is {𝑦 ∈ 𝑅, 𝑦 ≥ 𝑎}, where a is the minimum value of the function.
• It will have at least one minimum point.
Negative Leading Coefficient
• Graph extends from quadrant 4 to quadrant 4.
OR “as 𝑥 ⟶ −∞, 𝑦 ⟶ −∞” and “as 𝑥 ⟶ ∞, 𝑦 ⟶ −∞”
• The range is {𝑦 ∈ 𝑅, 𝑦 ≤ 𝑎}, where a is the maximum value of the function.
• It will have at least one maximum point.
Example 1: Sketch a possible graph for each of the following functions.
a. 𝑦 = −𝑥(𝑥 + 2)(2𝑥 − 5)
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2(𝑥 − 2)2 (𝑥 + 3)2
c. 𝑔(𝑥) = −0.5(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1)3
d. 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 (𝑥 − 4)3
e. 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥(2𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 2)2
10
Advanced Function Class 2 Handout
Example 2: Determine a possible equation for the polynomial
function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) shown below.
Example 3
a. State the equation of a cubic function that has exactly
two x-intercepts.
b. State the equation of a quartic function that has exactly two x-intercepts.
c. State the equation of a quintic function that has exactly two x-intercepts.
Example 4: Determine the equation given the graph of the polynomial function 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥) with
integer zeros.
11
