Task 1.

Interpret the following graph in detail:

(i) Identify the turning points, zeros, and x-intercepts.

Turning Points: These are the points where the graph changes direction, which usually occur
at local maxima or minima.

 A(-1.569,-3.124): This point corresponds to a local maximum.

 B(0.319,8.643): This point corresponds to a local minimum.

 C(2,0): This point corresponds to another local maximum (as it bounces off the x-
axis).

Zeros: These are the points where the function equals zero. In other words, the y-coordinate
is zero.

 C, D and E are zeros because they lie on the x-axis.

X-intercepts: These are the points where the graph intersects the x-axis, meaning the y-
coordinate is zero.

 C, D and E are x-intercepts because they have a y-coordinate of zero (Abramson,

2023).
(ii) Do you find any point or zero which has a multiplicity in the graph? If so, specify
them with multiplicity and explain the reason.

A zero of multiplicity 𝑛 occurs when the graph of the function touches the x-axis without
crossing it. This means the factor corresponding to that zero is repeated 𝑛 times in the
factored form of the function.

1. D(-2,0): This point represents a zero of the function. Since the graph passes through
the x-axis at this point without changing direction (it doesn't bounce off or cross), it
indicates a zero of multiplicity. So, the zero at (-2,0) has multiplicity at least 2,
meaning the factor (x+2) appears at least twice in the factored form of the function
(Abramson, 2023).

2. E(-1,0): Similarly, this point represents a zero of the function. Again, the graph passes
through the x-axis at this point without changing direction, indicating a zero of
multiplicity. So, the zero at (-1,0) also has multiplicity at least 2, meaning the factor
(x+1) appears at least twice in the factored form of the function (Abramson, 2023).

3. C(2,0): This point represents another zero of the function. However, the graph
bounces off the x-axis at this point, indicating a different behavior. When the graph
bounces off the x-axis, it suggests a zero of odd multiplicity. Since it bounces at (2,0),
the zero at (2,0) has multiplicity 3 (odd), meaning the factor (x-2) appears three times
in the factored form of the function (Abramson, 2023).

Zero at D(-2,0) has multiplicity at least 2.

Zero at E(-1,0) has multiplicity at least 2.

Zero at C(2,0) has multiplicity 3.

(iii) Identify the degree and the polynomial as well as identify the domain in which the
polynomial is increasing and decreasing.

By observing the graph shape and the number of turning points, we can notice the graph
exhibits the characters of a quartic which has 3 turning points and a W shape. The degree of a
quartic is 4 (Jackson, n.d.).

To identify the intervals where the quartic polynomial is increasing and decreasing, we need
to look at the behavior of the derivative of the function.

Let's denote the quartic function as f(x). To find where it's increasing or decreasing, we need
to analyze the sign of its derivative, f ‘(x), which gives the slope of the function at any given
point.
Given the turning points at A(−1.569,−3.124), B(0.319,8.643), and (2,0), we know that the

which suggests that f ‘(x) = 0.

derivative f ‘(x) will change sign at these points. Also, we know the y-intercept is at (0,8),

Since the graph bounces off the x-axis at C(2,0), it means the function doesn't cross the x-axis
at this point, so f ‘(2) = 0

So, we have identified the following points where the derivative 𝑓′(𝑥)f′(x) changes sign:

 At x = −1.569, corresponding to point A.

 At x = 0.319, corresponding to point B.

 At x = 0, corresponding to the y-intercept.

 At x = 2, corresponding to point C.

Now, let's look at the intervals between these points and determine the sign of the derivative
in each interval:

1. Interval (−∞,−1.569):

 The derivative is negative before x = −1.569 because the function is

decreasing.

2. Interval (−1.569,0.319):

 The derivative is positive between x = −1.569 and x = 0.319 because the

function is increasing.

3. Interval (0.319,2):

 The derivative is negative between x = 0.319 and x = 2 because the function is

decreasing.

So, the domain in which the polynomial is increasing is (−1.569,0.319), and the domain in
which it's decreasing is (−∞,−1.569)∪(0.319,2).

(iv) Do we have local maximum/minimum here? If yes, find them.

The graph has local maximum and minimum points at the turning points A, B, and C. To find
them, we need to look for the points where the derivative changes sign from positive to
negative (local maximum) and from negative to positive (local minimum) (Abramson, 2023).

We already identified the intervals where the derivative changes sign

Now, to find the corresponding 𝑥x-values:

1. Local maximum at x = −1.569, corresponding to point A.

 2. Local minimum at x = 0.319, corresponding to point B.

3. Local maximum at x = 2, corresponding to point C.

So, the local maximum points are A(−1.569,−3.124) and C(2,0), and the local minimum point
is B(0.319,8.643).

(v) Find the remainder when the polynomial is divided by x-4.

To find the remainder when the polynomial is divided by x - 4, we can use the Remainder
Theorem, which states that if you divide a polynomial f(x) by x - c, the remainder is equal to
f(x) (Abramson, 2023).

So, let's evaluate the polynomial at x = 4 to find the remainder.

Given that the polynomial is a quartic function passing through the points D(−2,0),
A(−1.569,−3.124), E(−1,0), B(0.319,8.643), and C(2,0), we can use this information to
construct the polynomial.

To simplify calculations, we can start by constructing the equation in factored form using the
given x-intercepts: x = -2, x = -1, x = 2.

The factored form of the polynomial is:

f(x) = a(x + 2)(x + 1)(x - 2)

We can find the value of a by using the y-intercept: f(0) = 8, which gives us:

8 = a(2)(1)(-2)

a = -2

So, the polynomial is:

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

Now, let's evaluate f(x) at x = 4 to find the remainder:

f(4) = -2(4 + 2)(4 + 1)(4 - 2)

f(4) = -2(6)(5)(2)

f(4) = -120

Therefore, the remainder when the polynomial is divided by x - 4 is -120.

Task 2. Given a polynomial: f(x) = x4 - 8x3 - 8x2 + 8x + 7

(i)Use rational theorem and synthetic division to find the zeros of the polynomial

We must first determine the potential rational roots in order to use the Rational Root
Theorem to find the polynomial's zeros. The Rational Root Theorem states that all possible
rational roots of a polynomial are the ratios between the factors of the leading coefficient and
the constant term's factors.

For polynomial f(x) = x4 - 8x3 - 8x2 + 8x + 7, the leading coefficient is 1 (the coefficient of x4)
and the constant term is 7. So the possible rational roots are all the ratios of factors of 7 to
factors of 1, which simplifies to just the factors of 7. The factors of 7 are ±1 and ±7.

Now, we can use synthetic division to test these possible roots and find the actual zeros of the
polynomial.

Starting with x = 1

1 1 -8 -8 8 7
1 -7 -15 -7

The remainder is not zero, x = 1 is not a root.

Trying x = -1

1 1 -8 -8 8 7

1 -9 1 7

The remainder is not zero, x = -1 is not a root.

Trying x = 7

1 1 -8 -8 8 7

1 41 273 1939

The remainder is not zero, x = 7 is not a root.

Trying x = -7

1 1 -8 -8 8 7
 1 -15 113 -783

The remainder is not zero, x = -7 is not a root.

Hence, The polynomial does not have any rational roots since none of the potential rational
roots produce a remainder of zero.

(ii) Draw the graph using GeoGebra graphing tool.

Graph of f(x) = x4 - 8x3 - 8x2 + 8x + 7

(iii) Identify its end behaviour

To identify the end behavior of the polynomial f(x) = x4 - 8x3 - 8x2 + 8x + 7 we look at the
leading term, which is x4.

As x approaches positive infinity (+∞), the term x4 dominates the polynomial, and since x4 is
positive for all positive x, the polynomial will also approach positive infinity.

Similary, as x approaches negative infinity (-∞), the term x4 dominates the polynomial, and
since x4 is positive for all negative x, the polynomial will also approach positive infinity.

Such that the end behaviour is,

As x → +∞, f(x) → +∞.

As x → -∞, f(x) → +∞.

Task 3. Given a function f(x) = (2x2 - 5x + 3)/(x2 + 5x).

(i) Find the horizontal and vertical asymptotes.

To find the horizontal and vertical asymptotes of the function f(x) = (2x2 - 5x + 3)/(x2 + 5x),
we need to analyze its behavior as x approaches positive or negative infinity.

Horizontal Asymptotes:

For horizontal asymptotes, we'll compare the degrees of the numerator and denominator
polynomials.

1. If the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator, the
horizontal asymptote is at y = 0.

2. If the degrees are the same, divide the leading coefficients of the numerator and
denominator to find the horizontal asymptote.

3. If the degree of the numerator is greater than the degree of the denominator, there is
no horizontal asymptote.

Let's apply these rules to the given function:

Degree of the numerator = 2

Degree of the denominator = 2

Since the degrees are the same, we divide the leading coefficients:

Leading coefficient of the numerator = 2

Leading coefficient of the denominator = 1

The Horizontal asymptote is given by,

y = Leading coefficient of numerator / Leading coefficient of denominator

y = 2/1

Horizontal asymptote is y = 2

Vertical Asymptotes:

Vertical asymptotes occur where the denominator of the function becomes zero and the
numerator doesn't simultaneously become zero. To find them, set the denominator equal to
zero and solve for x.

For f(x) = (2x2 - 5x + 3)/(x2 + 5x)

x2 + 5x = 0

x(x + 5) = 0

We get two values

x = 0 and x = -5

We should check if any of these solutions make the numerator zero as well:

For x = 0

f(0) = (2(0)2 - 5(0) + 3)/((0)2 + 5(0))

f(0) = 3/0

As x approaches zero, the function approaches infinity, indicating a vertical asymptote at

x=0.

For x = -5

f(-5) = (2(-5)2 - 5(-5) + 3)/((-5)2 + 5(-5))

f(-5) = 2(25) + 25 + 3/25 - 25

f(-5) = 50 + 25 + 3/0

f(-5) = 78/0

The denominator equals zero when x = - 5. The numerator is not zero, though. This indicates
a vertical asymptote at x=−5, where division by zero renders the function undefined.

So, the vertical asymptotes for the function f(x) = (2x2 - 5x + 3)/(x2 + 5x) are x = 0 and x = 5.

(ii) Find the domain of rational function. Show all steps.

To find the domain of the rational function f(x) = (2x2 - 5x + 3)/(x2 + 5x), we need to identify
the values of x for which the function is defined.

Since division by zero is undefinable, the domain of a rational function does not include any
values of x that would result in a zero denominator. Therefore, we must determine the values
of x that, if they were to remain outside of the domain, would cause the denominator of x2 +
5x to equal zero.

The factor of x2 + 5x in the denominator is x(x+5). We can determine the crucial points at
which the denominator equals zero by setting each factor to zero:

1. x = 0

2. x + 5 = 0 which gives x = -5
At these points, it's possible that the function is not defined. But we also have to make sure
that these values do not reduce the numerator to zero, since that would lead to a removable
singularity instead of an asymptote.

For the numerator 2x2 - 5x + 3, there are no real roots, meaning it's never equal to zero for
any real value of x.

So, the domain of the function f(x) is all real numbers except x = 0 and x = -5, because these
are the values that would make the denominator zero.

Thus, the domain of f(x) is (−∞,−5)∪(−5,0)∪(0,∞).

Task 4.

The following graph represents a rational function.

(i) Identify the horizontal and vertical asymptotes (if any). Explain how you would find
horizontal and vertical asymptotes of any rational function mathematically.

Understanding how a rational function behaves as it approaches positive and negative infinity
is necessary to determine its horizontal and vertical asymptotes.

Horizontal Asymptotes:

For rational functions, the degree of the numerator and the degree of the denominator play a
crucial role in determining horizontal asymptotes.

If the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator, the horizontal
asymptote is at y = 0 (the x-axis).

If the degree of the numerator is equal to the degree of the denominator, the horizontal
asymptote is the ratio of the leading coefficients of the numerator and the denominator.
If the degree of the numerator is greater than the degree of the denominator, there is no
horizontal asymptote.

To find the horizontal asymptote, you only need to look at the highest degree terms in the
numerator and the denominator (Abramson, 2023).

Vertical Asymptotes:

Vertical asymptotes occur where the denominator of the rational function equals zero, except
where the numerator also equals zero (which indicates a hole in the graph, not a vertical
asymptote).
To find vertical asymptotes, set the denominator equal to zero and solve for x. Exclude any
values of x for which the numerator is also equal to zero (these represent holes, not vertical
asymptotes).

Now, from the given points:

A(0,-4.8)

B(2,0)

C(3,0)

D(4,0)

We can assume that the function touches the x-axis at points B, C, and D because they are on
the x-axis. This suggests that at x = 2, x = 3, and x = 4, the function touches or crosses the x-
axis. Because the degree of the denominator is greater than the degree of the numerator, the
function does not have a horizontal asymptote (Abramson, 2023).

The place where the denominator equals zero is where we need to search for vertical
asymptotes. We must check to make sure that the function does not produce vertical
asymptotes at x = 2, x = 3, and x = 4, where it crosses the x-axis. As a result, x ≠ 2, x ≠ 3, and
x ≠ 4 would be the vertical asymptotes, if any existed.

So, for this rational function, there are no horizontal asymptotes, and the vertical asymptotes
are at x = 2, x = 3, and x = 4.

(ii) Identify the zeros of the rational function.

The values of x for which the rational function equals zero are known as the zeros of a
rational function; that is, they are the x-coordinates of the points on the function's graph
where the x-axis intersects.

From the given points:

B(2,0)
C(3,0)

D(4,0)

We can see that the function intersects the x-axis at x = 2, x = 3, and x = 4. Therefore, the
zeros of the rational function are x = 2, x = 3, and x = 4.

(iii) Identify the rational function.

To identify the rational function represented by the given points, we can use the fact that the
points provided lie on the graph of the function.

Now, from the given points:

A(0,-4.8)

B(2,0)

C(3,0)

D(4,0)

We know that the function passes through these points. Let's find the equation of the
function.

The general form of a rational function is:

f(x) = axn + .../bxm + ...

Where n is the degree of the numerator and m is the degree of the denominator.

Given that the function passes through point A(0, -4.8), we know that when x = 0, f(x) = -4.8.
So, let's consider f(x) in the form:

f(x) = axn + .../bxm + ...

Substitute the coordinates of point A into the function:

-4.8 = a*0n/b*0m

-4.8 = 0/0

This doesn't give us information about a or b, but we do know that f(x) is not defined at x = 0.
This suggests that there might be a factor of x in both the numerator and denominator.

of 𝑥x in the denominator.
Given that points B, C, and D are on the x-axis, this confirms that there is at least one factor

Since the function touches the x-axis at points B, C, and D, this implies that the function
crosses the x-axis at x = 2, x = 3 and x = 4, indicating linear factors of (x-2), (x-3), and (x - 4)
in the denominator.
Thus a rational function could be,

f(x) = a*x/(x-2)(x-3)(x-4)

To find the value of a we can substitute any other point's coordinates into the equation. Let's
use point A(0, -4.8):

-4.8 = a*0/(0-2)(0-3)(0-4)

-4.8 = 0/(-2)(-3)(-4)

-4.8 = 0/24

Since -4.8 does not equal 0, this suggests that there is no factor of x in the numerator. So, a
must be -4.8.

Therefore, the rational function that fits the given points is:

f(x) = -4.8x/(x-2)(x-3)(x-4)

Task 5. An online courier service is ready to transport a diverse range of items to ensure
efficient delivery. The agency requires boxes of various dimensions. Let's now focus on
creating open boxes that have fixed height for storing these items. Take a cardboard of
length thrice of the width and cut the edge of all 4 corners with 15cms, then fold the
cardboard to get an open box.

Based on that information, answer the following questions:

(i) Find the volume of the open box, explain whether the resultant function is a
polynomial or any other.

To find the volume of the open box, we have to define some variables:

Let L be the length of the cardboard.

Let W be the width of the cardboard.

Let H be the height of the box (since it's fixed).

Given that the length of the cardboard is thrice the width (L = 3W), and we cut the edge of all
4 corners with 15 cm, the length and width of the resulting box will be:

Length of the box = L - 2 * 15 cm = 3W - 30 cm

Width of the box = W - 2 * 15 cm = W - 30 cm

Height of the box is fixed and given as H cm

Hence the volume of the box can be calculated as:

V = Lemgth * Width * Height

V = (3W - 30) * (W - 30) * H

V = 3HW2 - 90HW - 30WH + 900H

This resultant function is a polynomial function since it is composed of terms involving

powers of W and H, and coefficients that are constants. Specifically, it's a polynomial of
degree 3 in terms of W and a polynomial of degree 1 in terms of H.

(ii) Find the possible domain for the volume function

To find the possible domain for the volume function, we need to consider the restrictions on
the dimensions of the box.

Remember,

The length of the cardboard is thrice the width (L = 3W).

We cut the edge of all 4 corners with 15 cm.

Given that the width of the cardboard is W, the length of the cardboard is 3W. When we cut
the corners, the resulting length and width of the box will be 3W - 30 and W - 30
respectively.

For the volume function to be valid, the dimensions of the box must be positive. Therefore,
we must ensure that W > 30 so that the resulting width after cutting the corners is positive.
Also, since the length of the box is derived from the width (L = 3W - 30), it follows that 3W -
30 > 0

3W - 30 > 0

3W > 30

W > 30/3

W > 10

Hence, the possible domain for the volume function is W > 10, as the width must be greater
than 10 cm to allow for cutting and folding the cardboard to create a box.

(iii) If we wish to put a flexible item that has a volume of 12500 cubic cm, what
dimensions of the box would be appropriate?

To find the appropriate dimensions of the box to accommodate an item with a volume of
12500 cubic cm, we can set up an equation using the volume formula we derived earlier:
V = 3HW2 - 90HW - 30WH + 900H

We know the volume (V) we want to achieve is 12500cm3. Substituting this value into the
equation, we get:

12500 = 3HW2 - 90HW - 30WH + 900H

Now, since we have two variables W and H, we need another equation to solve for both. We
can use the constraint that the length of the cardboard is thrice the width L = 3W.

Given that the volume is 12500cm3, let's solve for the appropriate dimensions. We'll set up
the equations and solve them simultaneously.

Eqn 1: 12500 = 3HW2 - 90HW - 30WH + 900H

Eqn 2: L = 3W

Substitute Eqn 2 into Eqn 1

12500 = 3(3W)W - 90(3W) - 30W(3W) + 900H

12500 = 9W2 - 270W - 90W2 + 900H

12500 = -81W2 - 270W + 900H

Now, we have one equation with two variables W and H, which is not enough to solve for
both. We need an additional equation.

Given that the volume is 12500 cubic cm, we know the product of the dimensions must be
12500. Therefore:

W(3W - 30)H = 12500

Eqn 1: 12500 = -81W2 - 270W + 900H

Eqn 2: W(3W - 30)H = 12500

References:

Abramson, J. (2023). Algebra and trigonometry (2nd

ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/details/books/algebra-and-trigonometry-2e licensed
under CC 4.0

Jackson, B. (n.d.). Topic 10: Graphing Polynomials. The University of Georgia.

https://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/EMT668/EMAT6680.2002/Jackson/EMAT%206000/topic
%2010/topic%2010-graphing%20poly.html