A polynomial function is a function which involves only non-negative integer powers or

only positive integer exponents of a variable in an equation. An example of a polynomial

function would be, f(x) = -x4 + x3 + 6x2 . Each polynomial function comes with its own unique

characteristics that we are tasked to find. The characteristics of a polynomial function consist of

parent function, degree, number of terms, end behavior, domain and range, zeros, and intervals.

These core characteristics are what makes up a polynomial function.

In the equation f(x) = -x4 + x3 + 6x2, we first must identify the parent function of the

polynomial function. To find the parent function we must take away all the arithmetic to leave

behind one higher-order operation on just x. In the case of this function the parent function

would be y = -x4+x3+x2. Next, we must identify the degree and number of terms for this

polynomial. The number of terms for this polynomial would be classified as monomial because

there is only one exponent in the function; while the degree would be classified as quartic

because it is the highest power in the function. In conclusion, the function would be classified as

a quartic monomial.

To start identifying the domain and range of a polynomial function we must first

understand that domain will always be x=R. The reason why the domain will always be x=R is

because no matter what way you draw a polynomial function there is never any limit on the x

values. For finding the range of this polynomial we must take the degree and leading coefficient

into account before determining the range. For this particular problem, the degree would be even

and the leading coefficient is negative. This means that the y has to be less than or equal to the

maximum point on the polynomial. Moving from domain and range, to find the zeros of this

polynomial we must identify where the function crosses the x-axis. The points on the x-axis

where the function crosses over the x-axis are (-2,0), (0,0), and (3,0). With these points in mind,
we can identify the multiplicity. Since each point only touches the x-axis once the multiplicity

would only be 1.

For finding the turning points of a polynomial we must look towards the graph and

identify how many times the polynomial function turns in a different direction. For this particular

function, the turning point of the polynomial would be 3. By using the points where the graph

increases and decreases we can identify each of the intervals. The decreasing intervals for f(x) =

-x4 + x3 + 6x2 would be (-1.397,0) (2.147, -∞) while the increasing interval

would be (-∞,1.397). I got these intervals from using points where the

graph changes from either increasing to decreasing and matching

their x points to identify the intervals.