Graphing

Polynomial
Functions
Objectives:
 In this lesson, you will be able to
graph polynomial functions.
Here are some of the important principles
that must be kept in mind while graphing
polynomial functions in two variables.
1. The graph of any type of function must pass the vertical line test
2. Every polynomial function with real coefficients has the set of real
number as its domain.
3. A polynomial function with the nth degree cannot have more than n
roots. This only means that the graph cannot intersect the x-axis
more than n times.
  Another important characteristics of a polynomial function P is its
end behavior. The end behavior is the behavior of the graph of a
function at the far left or far right. Although the graph of a polynomial
function may have intervals where it increases or decreases, the graph
will eventually rise or fail without bound as it moves far left or far to the
right. The end behavior can be described with the symbol + and
which stand for “positive infinity” and “negative infinity,” respectively.
The diagram explains how these symbols are used.
 
To indicate that P(x)  takes very large     +
positive values, write “P(x)       +  The
The endend behavior
behavior of of aa
P(x) polynomial
polynomial function
function
 
To indicate that x takes on  depends
depends on on the
the degree
degree
very large positive values,  of
of the
the function
function andand thethe
write “x takes       +  sign
sign of of its
its leading
leading
coefficient.
coefficient. The
The leading
leading
coefficient
coefficient is
is the
the
coeffeceint
coeffeceint of
of the
the
highest
highest power
power of of the
the
   
-  + variable.
variable. The
The
succeeding
succeeding graphs
graphs
illustrate
illustrate the
the four
four types
types
of
of endend behavior
behavior for for
nonconstant
nonconstant polynomial
polynomial
functions.
functions.
 
To indicate that a negative number x  
takes on very large absolute values, 
write “x      -   
To indicate that a negative number P(x) 
 
- takes on very large absolute values, 
write “x      - 
 The Leading Test
Coefficient
 
As x increases or decreases without bound, the graph of the polynomial
function P(x) = ≠ 0 eventually rises or falls.
 
Type 1:
As x → , P(x) → .
As x → , P(x) → .
This type applies to functions which degree
is odd and which leading coefficient is
positive. The graph falls to the left and rises
to the right.
 
Type 2:
As x → , P(x) → .
As x → , P(x) → .
This type applies to functions which degree is
odd and which leading coefficient is
negative. The graph rises to the left and falls
to the right.
 
Type 3:
As x → , P(x) → .
As x → , P(x) → .
This type applies to functions which degree is even
and which leading coefficient is positive. The graph
rises to the left and to the right.
 
Type 4:
As x → , P(x) → .
As x → , P(x) → .
This type applies to functions which degree is even and
which leading coefficient is negative. The graph falls to
the left and to the right.
 

Example 1: Graph of Polynomial

Use the leading coefficients test to determine the end behavior of the graph of
each polynomial function.
a. P(x) =
b. P(x) =
c. P(x) =
d. P(x) =
Solution:
 

Use the Leading Coefficient test to determine the end behavior of

each graph.

a. In P(x) =
- the degree is odd (n = 3) and
- the leading coefficient, 2, is positive.

Thus, the graph falls to the left and rises to the right as shown.
 
b. In P(x)= ─x + + ─ 4x + 8
- the degree is odd (n=5) and
-the leading coefficient, -1, is negative

Thus, the graph rises to the left and falls to the right as
shown on the right.
c. Because the degree is even (n=4) and
the leading coefficient, 1, is positive, the
graph rises to the left and to the right as
shown on the right.
d. Because the degree is even (n=6) and
the leading coefficient, -1, is negative,
the graph falls to the left and to the right
as shown on the right.
 
The graph P(x)= + ─ ─ 27x + 3 has three
turning points. These points are called
local maxima or minima. The number of
turning points of the graph of a function
of degree n is at most n-1.
 
Strategy of Graphing Polynomial Functions
P(x) =  ≠ 0
1. Determine the end behavior of the graph using the leading coefficient test.
2. Find the x­intercepts. Recall that x­intercepts are zeros of the polynomial 
functions.

If there is an x­intercept with multiplicity, then
 ­if k is even, the graph touches the x­axis at r and turns around
­ if k is odd, the graph crosses the x­axis at r
­ if k > 1, the graph flattens out at (r,0).
3. Find the y-intercept
4. Draw the graph of the polynomial function. Observe the rule for the number of turning
points.
 
Example 2: Graph of Polynomial Function 
Graph: P(x)= +

Solution:
a. Determine the end behavior. Because the degree is odd (n=3)
and the leading coefficient, 1, is positive, the graph falls to the left
and rises to the right.
b. Find x-intercepts (zeros of the functions) by setting P(x)=0.
cont.
 

Factor.
Factor.

Set each factor to 0.

Solve for x.
Therefore, the zeros of P(x) are
-3, -1, and 1.
 

C. Find y-intercept by setting x=0.

P(0)=+ (0)-3=-3
The graph of y= P(x) is shown on the right.
d. Use the fact that the maximum number of turning points of the graph is
n-1 to check whether it is drawn correctly. Since n=3, the maximum
number of turning points is 3-1 or 2. Because the graph above has two
turning points, we have not violated the maximum number possible.
 
Example 3: Graph of Polynomial Function

Graph the polynomial defined by P(x)= - -18

Solution:
a. Determine the end behavior. Because the degree is even
(n=4) and the leading coefficient, 1, is positive, the graph
rises to the left and to the right.
b. Find the x-intercept (zeros of the function) using synthetic substitution.
x coefficient P(x)
0 1 -1 -18 16 32
1 1 0 -18 -2 30
-1 1 -2 -16 32 0 -1 is a zero. The zeros
of P(x)
2 1 1 -16 -16 0 -2 is a zero.
-2 1 -3 -12 40 -48
3
-3
1 2 -12 -20
1 -4 -6 34
-28
-70
are -1, 2,
4 1 3 -6 -8 0 4 is a zero. 4, and -4.
-4 1 -5 2 8 0 -4  is a zero.
 
c. Find the y-intercept by setting x=0.
P(0)=-- 18+16(0)+32=32.
The graph is shown on the right.
d. Since n=4, the maximum number of turning points is 4-1
or 3 because the graph above has three turning points and
has not violated the maximum number possible.
 -END-
Submitted by:
Nyah Jedia S. Magbanua
Catherine R. Discorson
Julie Yanna M. Pomperada
10- Diamond