G10 Math Q2 - Week 1 - Polynomial Functions and Graph
G10 Math Q2 - Week 1 - Polynomial Functions and Graph
where:
• n is a nonnegative integer.
• an ≠ 0.
COEFFICIENTS
•The numbers a0, a1, a2, …, an are called
the coefficients of the polynomial.
• The number an, the coefficient of the highest power, is the leading
coefficient ,and the term anxn is the leading term.
POLYNOMIALS
• For example:
P(x) = x3
Q(x) = –6x5
•Graphing Basic Polynomial Functions
GRAPHS OF MONOMIALS
•As the figure suggests, the graph of P(x) = xn has the same general shape as:
•However, the graph of a polynomial function is continuous. This means that the
graph has no breaks or holes.
• y → ∞ as x → ∞
• y → ∞ as x → –∞
GRAPHS OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS:
END BEHAVIOR
•y→∞ as x → ∞
• y → –∞ as x → –∞
GRAPHS OF POLYNOMIAL
FUNCTIONS: END BEHAVIOR
is determined by:
•The degree n.
•y → ∞ as x→∞
• y → –∞ as x → –∞
Example (b)
• This
confirms
that they
have
the same
end
behavior.
END BEHAVIOR
•To see algebraically why P and Q in
Example 3 have the same end behavior, factor P as follows and compare with Q.
5 2
P( x ) 3 x 1 2 4
5
3x 3x
Q( x ) 3 x 5
END BEHAVIOR