2.

1 Characteristics of Polynomial Functions

1. Indicate which of the following functions are polynomial functions:

# _.C
(a) =3 C −3 # +2 + 11 + 6 (b) =3 −5 +2 (c) =5
B XA
(d) =4 −2 +5 −1 (e) =3 # − 5 (f) = + 5& + 2

2. Indicate which of the following graphs are likely those of polynomial functions:
(a) (b) (c) (d)

(e) (f) (g) (h)

3. For each of the following polynomial functions, state each of the indicated characteristics. Try as many as you
can without graphing.
# B
(a) !( ) = +8 + 11 − 20 (b) =5−
B #
(c) = −2 −6 + 14 + 30 − 36 (d) = −2 + 3 ( − 2) ( − 1)

i - Lead (a) i - (b) i - (c) i - (d) i -

Coefficient
ii - Degree ii - ii - ii - ii -

iii - Start / end iii - iii - iii - iii -

behavior

iv - Possible # of iv - iv - iv - iv -
-intercepts

v - Whether v- v- v- v-
graph has a
max or min

vi - -intercept vi - vi - vi - vi -

Page |100 Note: Page numbers are not sequential, but match the full Math 30-1 EDGE Workbook
 Chapter 2 – Polynomial Functions

4. For each of the following graphs, determine the indicated characteristics of the related function.

(a) (b) (c) (d)

i - Is the degree even

(a) i - (b) i - (c) i - (d) i -
or odd?
ii - Is the leading coefficient ii - ii - ii - ii -
pos (+) or neg (-)
iii - # of -intercepts iii - iii - iii - iii -

iv - Range iv - iv - iv - iv -
v - Constant term in
function equation v- v- v- v-

5. For each of the following functions, use technology to determine each of the indicated characteristics.
Note that using technology (graphing on your calc) is not required for each characteristic each time! For example, see if
you can spot the -intercepts of (c) without graphing. (And degree and -ints can always be found without graphing)
Also note: To get best results graphing on your calculator – you must practice setting your window! For most of these
you can use an *-min of −3 and an *-max of 3. However, for the ( min and max …. use trial and error!
(You’ll want to see any relative max / min points, so ensure your window is “large enough”)
# B #
(a) !( ) = +8 + 11 − 20 (b) = −3 − 12 + 52 − 48

(c) =− + 3 ( − 1)( − 3) (d) = −2 + 2 + 24

i - The degree (a) i - (b) i - (c) i - (d) i -

ii - The coordinates of
any -intercepts ii - ii - ii - ii -

iii - The coordinates iii - iii - iii - iii -

of -intercept
iv - The Range iv - iv - iv - iv -
Note: Where applicable, round
to the nearest hundredth.

Step-by-step solutions, along with videos and additional practice exams, can be found at math30-1edge.com
1. Polynomial functions are: (a), (c), (e) 2. Polynomial functions are: (a), (c), (d), and (f)
RTD Learning PowerMath
3. (a) i 7 ii 3 iii Starts neg in quad III, ends pos in quad I iv 1 to 3 v No max or min vi (?, −1?)
(b) i −7 ii 4 iii Starts neg in quad III, ends neg in quad IV iv 0 to 4* see v Graph has a max vi (?, 0)
note 1
(c) i −1 ii 4 iii Starts neg in quad III, ends neg in quad IV iv 0 to 4 v Graph has a max vi (?, −;3)
see note 2
(d) i −1 ii 5* iii Starts pos in quad II, ends neg in quad IV iv 3* see note 3 v No max or min vi (?, @1)
Note 1: We can visualize this, as the graph of = B is similar to = , so visualize a “parabola” opening down and shifted
5 units up. So we know, without graphing, that there will be TWO -intercepts! = −2 + 3 1 ( − 2)1 ( − 1)
Note 2: For functions in factored form, the degree of the entire function is the sum of all exponents, so: 2 + 2 + 1 = 0
Note 3: Each factor corresponds to one -intercept, so we know with certainty there are 3. There’s an invisible “1” here!

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2.1 Characteristics of Polynomial Functions

6. Without graphing (use your reasoning abilities!), match each of the following functions with its graph.
(a) = − C + 12 # + 2 − 27 − 18  

(b) B #
=− + + 11 − 9 − 18

(c) C B #
= −2 − 10 + 20 + 9 − 18

(d) =− B
+ #
+7 − 13 + 6  

7. A package may be sent through a particular mail service only if it conforms to specific dimensions.
To qualify, the sum of its height plus the perimeter of its base must be no more than 72 inches. Also for our
design, the base of the box (shaded in the diagram below) has a length equal to double the width.

(a) In the blank on the left, state an

expression for the height (6) of the box.
6= Need a hint? See the bottom of the next page.

(b) Determine a function that represents the

base
Volume of the box.

(c) Use technology to graph the function obtained (d) Provide a domain and range for your function
in (b) with a suitable viewing window. obtained in (b), with respect to the “real
Provide your sketch below, labeling any world” constraints of the problem.
max/mins and intercepts. Also fully label the
Domain: Range:
axis, what each axis represents, and a suitable scale.

(e) State the maximum volume of the box that can

be sent.

(f) State the dimensions for the box that provides

the maximum volume.

Step-by-step solutions can be found at math30-1edge.com

4. (a) i ODD ii NEGATIVE iii 4 -intercepts iv {( ∈ ℝ} v Constant term: −@1 (represented by -intercept)
(b) i EVEN ii POSITIVE iii 3 -intercepts iv {(|( ≥ −73. ;?, ( ∈ ℝ} v Constant term: −3
(c) i ODD ii POSITIVE iii 2 -intercepts iv {( ∈ ℝ} v Constant term: −73
(d) i EVEN ii NEGATIVE iii 3 -intercepts iv {(|( ≤ 12. 23, ( ∈ ℝ} v Constant term: :

5. (a) i ; ii −0, ? , (−2, ?) and (7, ?) iii (?, −1?) iv {( ∈ ℝ}

(b) i 2 ii −2, ? , (1, ?) and (;, ?) iii (?, −2=) iv {(|( ≥ −73@. ;?, ( ∈ ℝ}
(c) i 2 ii −;, ? , (7, ?) and (;, ?) iii (?, −1@) iv {(|( ≤ 10. :3, ( ∈ ℝ}
Note: Each factor provides an -intercept
(d) i 1 ii −;, ? and (;, ?) iii (?, 12) iv {(|( ≤ 12. 0, ( ∈ ℝ}

Page |102
 Chapter 2 – Polynomial Functions

8. An open box is to be made by cutting out squares from the corners of an 8 inch by 15 inch rectangular sheet
of cardboard and folding up the sides. Diagram 1 Diagram 2
(a) On diagram 1 on the right, provide
expressions that represent the
length and width of the finished box.

(b) Determine a function that models

the volume of the box.

(c) Use technology to graph the function, and sketch below. Label each axis, provide a scale, and
indicate any intercepts or max / min points. Use your graphing calculator, provide a sketch below.

(d) State the domain and range of the function, with

respect to the “real-world” constraints.

(e) State the value of “ ” that gives the maximum

volume. (Round to the nearest hundredth)

(f) State the maximum volume of the box, (Round to

the nearest de# )

(g) Provide the dimensions that yield the box of

maximum volume, (Round to the nearest hundredth)

HINT for #7(a): The perimeter of the base is: 2 + 2 + + = 3*. As we wish for the largest volume box, we’ll use all
72 inches (sum of perimeter and height) available. So ℎ + 6 = 72, and 6 = @1 − 3*.
Answers from previous page
6. (a)  (b)  (c)  (d)  (c) (=, ;?@1)
(d) Domain is [?, 71]
7. (a) 6 = @1 − 3* Range is [?, ;?@1]
Volume

(b) ` = (1*)(*)(@1 − 3*) Max when * = = inches

Graph (7 = in your calculator. (f) Max Volume: = ;?@1 ab;
Trial-and-error to get best window. (g) 73 length c = width c 12 height inches
(?, ?) (71, ?)
Sketch should only show graph within
domain. (between 0 and 12)
width of box

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2.1 Characteristics of Polynomial Functions

9. The graph of = "( ) is shown on the right. The minimum possible

degree and sign of the leading coefficient are, respectively, = "( )

A. 4, negative
 Exam
Style
B. 4, positive
C. 5, negative
D. 5, positive

10. During a regular respiratory cycle, the volume of air (in litres) in the human lungs of an average
 Exam
Style 25-year-old can be modeled by the function f g = −0.035g # + 0.152g + 0.173g.
Where g is the time in seconds from the start of a breath.

NR According to this model, the average length of full breath of a 25-year-old, correct
to the nearest hundredth of a second, is _____ seconds.

11. The function " B

= −9 + 4 + 12 has the following transformations applied, to become = $( ):
- A vertical reflection in the -axis
- A vertical stretch about the -axis by a factor of 3/2

The range of = $( ) is:

A. { | ≥ −11, ∈ ℝ}
 Exam
Style
B. { | ≥ −25, ∈ ℝ}
C. { | ≤ 11, ∈ ℝ}
D. { | ≤ 25, ∈ ℝ}

12. Refer back to the function = $( ) described in question 11.

 Exam
Style
NR The -intercept of = $( ) is (0, −e), where e is equal to _____.

Answers from previous page and this page

8. (a) (c) (7. 3@, :?. @2)
(d) Domain is [?, 2]
Range is [?, :?. @2]
Volume

(b) ` = (70 − 1*)(= − 1*)(*) (e) Max when * = 7. 3@ inches

(f) Max Volume: = :7 ab;
(?, ?) (2, ?) (g) 77. 3@ length c 2. 3@ width c 7. 3@
height inches
Height

9. B 10. 5.28 11. D 12 18

.
Page |104