📚 Lecture: Understanding Polynomial Functions
🟡 1. What is a Polynomial?
Good day, everyone!
Today, we’re going to explore an important concept in algebra and calculus: Polynomial
Functions.
A polynomial is a mathematical expression involving a sum of powers in one or more variables
multiplied by coefficients.
For example:
f(x)=3x3−2x2+5x−7f(x) = 3x^3 - 2x^2 + 5x - 7f(x)=3x3−2x2+5x−7
This is a polynomial function in one variable, xxx.
General Form:
f(x)=anxn+an−1xn−1+⋯+a1x+a0f(x) = a_nx^n + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + \dots + a_1x + a_0f(x)=anxn+an−1
xn−1+⋯+a1x+a0
Where:
• an,an−1,…,a0a_n, a_{n-1}, \dots, a_0an,an−1,…,a0 are real coefficients
• nnn is a non-negative integer
• an≠0a_n \ne 0an =0
🟡 2. Key Terms and Concepts
To understand polynomial functions better, let’s go through some important terms:
🔹 Degree of a Polynomial
The degree is the highest power of the variable with a non-zero coefficient.
Example: In f(x)=4x5−x3+2f(x) = 4x^5 - x^3 + 2f(x)=4x5−x3+2, the degree is 5.
🔹 Leading Coefficient
The coefficient of the highest-degree term.
Here, it’s 4.
🔹 Constant Term
The term with no variable (the last one), which is 2 in the example.
🔹 Standard Form
Polynomials should be written in descending order of exponents.
🔵 3. Types of Polynomials
Depending on their degree and number of terms, polynomials are classified in different ways.
🔸 By Degree:
• Degree 0 → Constant (e.g. f(x)=7f(x) = 7f(x)=7)
• Degree 1 → Linear (e.g. f(x)=2x+1f(x) = 2x + 1f(x)=2x+1)
• Degree 2 → Quadratic (e.g. f(x)=x2−4f(x) = x^2 - 4f(x)=x2−4)
• Degree 3 → Cubic (e.g. f(x)=x3−3xf(x) = x^3 - 3xf(x)=x3−3x)
• Degree 4 → Quartic (e.g. f(x)=x4+2x2f(x) = x^4 + 2x^2f(x)=x4+2x2)
🔸 By Number of Terms:
• Monomial – one term (e.g. 5x35x^35x3)
• Binomial – two terms (e.g. x2+3x^2 + 3x2+3)
• Trinomial – three terms (e.g. x2−4x+4x^2 - 4x + 4x2−4x+4)
🟡 4. Graphing and Behavior
🔹 End Behavior
The leading term determines how the graph behaves as x→∞x \to \inftyx→∞ or x→−∞x \to -
\inftyx→−∞.
• Even degree, positive leading coefficient: both ends rise
• Even degree, negative leading coefficient: both ends fall
• Odd degree, positive leading coefficient: left falls, right rises
• Odd degree, negative leading coefficient: left rises, right falls
🔹 Zeros or Roots
These are the values of xxx where f(x)=0f(x) = 0f(x)=0. They are the x-intercepts of the graph.
You find them by factoring or using the Rational Root Theorem, synthetic division, or the
Quadratic Formula for degree 2.
✍️ Summary
Let’s wrap up what we’ve learned:
• A polynomial function is a sum of terms involving powers of a variable.
• It is classified by degree and number of terms.
• The graph of a polynomial helps us visualize its zeros and end behavior.
• Understanding polynomials is crucial for solving equations, graphing functions, and
studying calculus.
