CHAPTER 13

Polynomial and Radical Functions

13-1. Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs

A polynomial function is a function of the form f ( x ) an x n an 1 x n 1 a2 x 2 a1 x a0 ,

in which the coefficients an , an 1 , , a2 , a1 , a0 are real numbers and n is a nonnegative integer.
The degree of a polynomial function is its greatest exponent of x . The graphs of several polynomial
functions are shown below. The maximum number of zeros, which are the x- intercepts, is equal to
the degree of the function.

Constant Function Linear Function Quadratic Function Cubic Function Quartic Function

y y y y y

x x x x x
O O O O O

f ( x) 2 f ( x) x 1 f ( x) x2 x 2 f ( x) x3 2 x2 x 2 f ( x) x4 x3 4 x2 4x
No real solution One real solution Two real solutions Three real solutions Four real solutions

A function f is increasing on an interval if the value

y
of f increases as x increases in the interval.
A function f is decreasing on an interval if the value (a, f (a ))
of f decreases as x increases in the interval. y f ( x)
In the graph shown at the right, function f increases
on the intervals ( , a ) and (b, ) , and decreases on the b
x
interval (a , b ) . At a point where the graph changes from a
increasing to decreasing, f has a local maximum value,
(b, f (b))
and at a point where the graph changes from decreasing
to increasing, f has a local minimum value.

y
Example 1 The complete graph of function f is shown
at the right.
y f ( x)
a. Find the x- intercepts of f ( x) .
b. For what value of x is the value of f ( x) 1
x
at its maximum? O 1
c. Find the interval where f ( x) is strictly decreasing.

Solution a. The x- intercepts are 3 , 2 , and 4 .

b. The value of f ( x) is maximum at x 1.

c. f ( x) is strictly decreasing between 1 and 3 .

214 Chapter 13

Exercises - Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs

1 4

The graph of f ( x) ax3 x 2 18 x 9 intersects If function f has four distinct zeros, which of
the x- axis at (3, 0) . What is the value of a ? the following could represent the complete graph
of f in the xy - plane?
A) 1 A) B)
y y
B) 0
C) 1
D) 2 x x
O O

2 C) D)
y y
In the xy - plane, the graph of function f has
x- intercepts at 7 , 5 , and 5 . Which of the
following could define f ?
x x
O O

A) f ( x) ( x 7)( x 2 25)

B) f ( x) ( x 7)( x 2 25)
5
C) f ( x) ( x 7)( x 2 25)
y
D) f ( x) ( x 7)( x 2 25)
y f ( x)

3 1
x
O 1
y

1
x The complete graph of function f is shown on
O 1
the xy - plane above, for 5 x 5 . Which of
the following is/are true?
I. f is strictly decreasing for 5 x 0.
II. f ( 3) 1
What is the minimum value of the function graphed III. f is minimum at x 5.
on the xy - plane above, for 5 x 5 ?

A) I only
A) 4
B) II only
B) 3
C) 2 C) III only

D) D) I and II only
Polynomial and Radical Functions 215

13-2. Remainder Theorem and Factor Theorem

Remainder Theorem
If a polynomial f ( x) is divided by x c , the remainder is f (c) .
Since Dividend Divisor Quotient Remainder ,
f ( x) ( x c)q( x) f (c) , inwhich q ( x) is the quotient.

Factor Theorem
The polynomial f ( x) has x c as a factor if and only if f (c) 0.

The following statements are equivalent for a polynomial f ( x) and a real number c :
c is a solution to the equation f ( x) 0 .
c is a zero of f ( x) .
c is a root of f ( x) .
x c is a factor of f ( x) .
f ( x ) is divisible by x c .
c is an x - intercept of the graph of f ( x) .

Example 1 Find the remainder of f ( x) x3 x 2 6 x 7 divided by x 2 .

Solution To find the remainder of f ( x) divided by x 2 x ( 2) ,

evaluate f ( 2) . f ( 2) ( 2)3 ( 2) 2 6( 2) 7 1
By the remainder theorem the remainder is 1.

Example 2 Find the value of a if x 3 is a factor of f ( x) x3 11x a .

Solution If x 3 is a factor of f ( x) , then f (3) 0

3
f (3) (3) 11(3) a 0 6 a 0 a 6

Example 3 Find the value of k if f ( x) 3( x 2 3x 4) 8( x k ) is divisible by x .

Solution If f ( x) is divisible by x , since x x 0 , f (0) 0 by the factor theorem.

2
f (0) 3(0 3(0) 4) 8(0 k ) 12 8k 0
12 3
8k 12 k
8 2

Example 4 Find the x- intercepts of f if f ( x) 2 x2 x 10 .

Solution f ( x) 2 x 2 x 10 (2 x 5)( x 2) Factor.

(2 x 5)( x 2) 0 Let f ( x ) 0.
2 x 5 0 or x 2 0 Zero Product Property
5
x or x 2 Solve.
2
5
The x- intercepts of f are and 2 .
2
216 Chapter 13

Exercises - Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs

1 4
If 1 and 1 are two real roots of the polynomial
x f ( x)
function f ( x) ax3 bx 2 cx d and (0,3) is
the y - intercept of graph of f , what is the value 4 10
of b ?
3 0

A) 3 1 4
B) 1 2 20
C) 2
D) 4 The function f is defined by a polynomial.
Some values of x and f ( x) are shown in the
table above. Which of the following must be
a factor of f ( x ) ?

2
A) x 4
What is the remainder of polynomial
B) x 3
p ( x ) 81x 5 121x3 36 divided by x 1 ?
C) x 1
A) 76 D) x 2

B) 36
C) 4
D) 6 5

x3 8 x 2 3x 24 0

For what real value of x is the equation above

true?
3
If x 2 is a factor of polynomial
p ( x ) a ( x 3 2 x ) b ( x 2 5) , which of the
following must be true?

A) a b 0
B) 2a b 0 6

C) 2a b 0 If x 0 , what is the solution to the equation

4
x 8x2 9?
D) 4a b 0
Polynomial and Radical Functions 217

13-3. Radical Expressions

n
The symbol a is called a radical. Each part of a radical is given a name as indicated below.
radical sign
index n
a radicand

Definition of nth root

For any real numbers x or a , and any positive integer n , if x n a , then x is an nth root of a .
n n
If n is even, x a . If n is odd, x a.

1 1
Definition of a 2 and a 3
1 1
3
For any nonnegative number a , a 2 a . For any real number a , a 3 a.

Product and Quotient Property of Radicals

a a
For any nonnegative number a or b , ab a b and .
b b
3
3 3 a a
For any real number a or b , ab a 3 b and 3
3
if b 0.
b b

Example 1 Solve.

a. ( x 5)4 16 b. x3 1 26

Solution a. ( x 5)4 16
4
x 5 16 Definition of nth root, for when n is even.
4
x 5 2 4
16 24 2
x 5 2 Add 5 to each side.
x 7 or x 3 Answer

b. x3 1 26

x3 27 Subtract 1 from each side.

1 1
x 3
27 ( 27) 3 (( 3)3 ) 3 Definition of nth root, for when n is odd.
3 Answer

Example 2 Simplify.

a. 50 6 b. 18a 2 b3

Solution a. 50 6 25 2 2 3 50 25 2 , 6 2 3
5 2 3 10 3

b. 18a 2 b3 32 2 a 2 b 2 b
32 2 a2 b2 b ab a b
2
3 2 a b b 3ab 2b 3 3, a2 a, b2 b
218 Chapter 13

A method used to eliminate radicals from a denominator is called rationalizing the denominator.
Binomials of the form a b and a b are called conjugates. The product of conjugates is always
an integer if a and b are integers. You can use conjugates to rationalize denominators.
Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions
Radical expressions in which the radicands are alike can be added or subtracted in the same way that like
monomials are added or subtracted.
Multiplying Radical Expressions
Multiplying two radical expressions with different radicands is similar to multiplying binomials.

Example 3 Simplify.
1
a. b. ( 6 2)( 3 1)
2 3

2 3
c. 50 18 8 d. 6
3 2

1 1 2 3
Solution a. The conjugate of 2 3 is 2 3.
2 3 2 3 2 3
2 3
2 2
(a b)(a b) a2 b2
2 ( 3)
2 3
2 3
4 3

b. ( 6 2)( 3 1)
6 3 6 1 2 3 2 1 FOIL
2 3 3 6 6 2 6 2 3
3 2 2 2 2

c. 50 18 8
25 2 9 2 4 2
25 2 9 2 4 2 ab a b
5 2 3 2 2 2
4 2 Combine like radicals.

2 3
d. 6
3 2
2 3 3 2
6 Rationalize the denominator.
3 3 2 2
6 6
6 Simplify.
3 2
1 1
6(1 ) Factor.
3 2
7 6
6
Polynomial and Radical Functions 219

Exercises - Radical Expressions

1 4
1 Which of the following is equal to
Which of the following is equal to a 2 ?
8 18 32 ?

A) a A) 2
1 B) 2 2
B)
a
C) 3 2
1
C)
a D) 3

1
D)
a2

2 5

1 Which of the following is equal to

Which of the following is equal to ?
3 2 2 (1 3)(2 3) ?

A) 3 2 A) 1 3
B) 3 2 B) 1 3
C) 3 2 2 C) 1 3
D) 3 4 2 D) 1 3

3 6

If ( x 1)3 64 , what is the value of x ? 5

Which of the following is equal to b 3 ?

A) 6
B) 5 A) b b

C) 4 1
B) b b3
D) 3
3
C) b b
3
D) b b2
220 Chapter 13

13-4. Solving Radical Equations

An equation which contains a radical with a variable in the radicand is called a radical equation.
To solve such an equation, first isolate the radical on one side of the equation. Then square each side of the
equation to eliminate the radical.

Example 1 Solve each equation.

1
a. 5 2x 3 b. 4 x 7
2

Solution a. ( 5 2 x )2 (3) 2 Square each side.

5 2x 9
2x 4 Subtract 5 from each side.
x 2 Divide each side by 2 .

1
b. 4 x 7 Original Equation
2
1
x 3 Subtract 3 from each side.
2
1 2
( x) (3) 2 Square each side.
2
1
x 9 Simplify.
2
x 18 Multiply each side by 2.

When you square both sides of a radical equation, the resulting equation may have a solution that is not
a solution of the original equation. Such a solution is called an extraneous solution. Therefore, you must
check all the possible solutions in the original equation and disregard the extraneous solutions.

Example 2 Solve x 2 x.

Solution a. x 2 x Original equation

( x 2) 2 ( x) 2 Square each side.

2
x 2 x Simplify.
2
0 x x 2 Subtract x and 2 from each side.
0 ( x 2)( x 1) Factor.
x 2 0 or x 1 0 Zero Product Property
x 2 or x 1 Solve.
Check the results by substituting 2 and 1 for x in the original equation.
Check: x 2 x x 2 x
2 2 2 1 2 1
4 2 1 1
2 2 True 1 1 × False
Since 1 does not satisfy the original equation, 2 is the only solution.
Polynomial and Radical Functions 221

Exercises - Solving Radical Equations

1 4

11 2x 3 8 5 x 12 3 2

What is the solution set of the equation above? What is the solution set of the equation above?

A) 0 A) 2
B) 3 B) 4
C) 6 C) 6
D) 9 D) 8

2 5

1
3x 4 7 If a 3 and 2 3x a , what is the value
3
of x ?
What is the solution set of the equation above?

A) 15
B) 12
C) 8
D) 6

3 6

x 18 x 2 If k 8 2 and 3
x k 2 , what is the value
2
What is the solution set of the equation above? of x ?

A) 2

B) 7

C) 2, 7

D) 2, 7
222 Chapter 13

13-5. Complex Numbers

Definition of i
i 1 and i2 1

For real numbers a and b , the expression a bi is called a complex number.

Number a is called the real part and number b is called the imaginary part of the complex number a bi .

To add or subtract complex numbers, combine the real parts and combine the imaginary parts.
(a bi ) (c di ) (a c ) (b d )i
(a bi ) (c di ) (a c ) (b d )i

Example 1 Simplify.

a. i 35 b. 5 10
c. (4 3i ) (5 4i ) d. 2( 3 i ) 5(1 i )

Solution a. i 35 i i 34 am an am n

i (i 2 )17 (a m )n a mn
i ( 1)17 i2 1
17
i ( 1) 1

b. 5 10
(i 5)(i 10) 5 5 1 i 5, 10 i 10
2
i 50 Multiply.
( 1)( 25 2) i2 1, 50 25 2
5 2 Simplify.

c. (4 3i ) (5 4i )
(4 5) ( 3i 4i ) Combine the real parts and the imaginary parts.
9 i Simplify.

d. 2( 3 i ) 5(1 i)
6 2i 5 5i Multiply.
11 7i Simplify.

Example 2 Solve 3x 2 75 0.

Solution 3x 2 75 0

3x2 75 Subtract 75 from each side.

x2 25 Divide each side by 3.
x 25 Take the square root of each side.
x 25 1 Product Property of Radicals
x 5i 1 i
Polynomial and Radical Functions 223

To multiply two complex numbers, use the FOIL method and use the fact that i 2 1.
2
(a bi )(c di) ac adi bci bdi (ac bd ) (ad bc)i
Imaginary numbers of the form a bi and a bi are called complex conjugates, and their product is
the real number a 2 b 2 . This fact can be used to simplify the quotient of two imaginary numbers.
Definition of Equal Complex Numbers
Two complex numbers are equal if and only if their real parts are equal and their imaginary parts are equal.
a bi c di if and only if a c and b d .

Example 3 Simplify.

a. (6 i )(2 3i ) b. ( 3 2)( 3 2)

10 2 3i
c. d.
(1 3i ) 4 3i

Solution a. (6 i )(2 3i )
12 18i 2i 3i 2 FOIL
12 16i 3( 1) i2 1
15 16i Simplify.

b. ( 3 2)( 3 2)
( 3 i 2)( 3 i 2) 2 i 2
2 2
( 3) (i 2) (a b)(a b) a2 b2
3 2i 2
5 i2 1

10
c.
(1 3i )
10 (1 3i )
Rationalize the denominator.
(1 3i ) (1 3i )
10(1 3i )
(a b)(a b) a2 b2
1 9i 2
10 (1 3i )
i2 1
10
1 3i Simplify.

2 3i
d.
4 3i
2 3i 4 3i
Rationalize the denominator.
4 3i 4 3i
8 6i 12i 9i 2
FOIL
16 9i 2
1 18i
i2 1
25
224 Chapter 13

Exercises - Complex Numbers

1 4
Which of the following is equal Which of the following is equal
to 1 4 9? 1 1
to (5i 3) (4i 5) ?
2 3
A) i
B) 2i 3 5
A) i
2 2
C) 3i
7 7
D) 4i B) i
6 3
7 19
C) i
6 6
5 17
D) i
2 6 6
Which of the following is equal
to 2 8?
5
A) 4i
If (4 i) 2 a bi , what is the value of a b ?
B) 4i
C) 4
D) 4

3
Which of the following complex numbers is equal
3 i 6
to ?
3 i
3 i
If the expression is rewritten in the form
1 2i
9 3i
A) a bi , in which a and b are real numbers, what
10 5 is the value of a b ?
9 3i
B)
10 5
3 3i
C)
5 5
4 3i
D)
5 5