Chapter 2

Quadratic Functions

Polynomial Function Definition

A polynomial function is a function that can be expressed in the form of a polynomial. The
definition can be derived from the definition of a polynomial equation. A polynomial is
generally represented as P(x). The highest power of the variable of P(x) is known as its
degree. Degree of a polynomial function is very important as it tells us about the behaviour
of the function P(x) when x becomes very large. The domain of a polynomial function is
entire real numbers (R).
If P(x) = an xn + an-1 xn-1+.……….…+a2 x2 + a1 x + a0, then for x ≫ 0 or x ≪ 0, P(x) ≈ an xn. 
Thus, polynomial functions approach power functions for very large values of their
variables.

Polynomial Function Examples

A polynomial function has only positive integers as exponents. We can even perform
different types of arithmetic operations for such functions like addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division.
Some of the examples of polynomial functions are here:

 x2+2x+1
 3x-7
 7x +x -2
3 2

All three expressions above are polynomial since all of the variables have positive integer
exponents. But expressions like;

 5x-1+1
 4x +3x+1
1/2

 (9x +1) ÷ (x)

are not polynomials, we cannot consider negative integer exponents or fraction exponent or
division here.

Types of Polynomial Functions

There are various types of polynomial functions based on the degree of the polynomial. The
most common types are:

 Constant Polynomial Function: P(x) = a = ax0

 Zero Polynomial Function: P(x) = 0; where all ai’s are zero, i = 0, 1, 2, 3, …, n.
 Linear Polynomial Function: P(x) = ax + b
 Quadratic Polynomial Function: P(x) = ax2+bx+c
 Cubic Polynomial Function: ax3+bx2+cx+d
 Quartic Polynomial Function: ax4+bx3+cx2+dx+e
Definition of a quadratic equation

A quadratic equation in x is an equation that can be written in the form f(x) = ax2+bx+c = 0,
where a, b and c are real numbers with a ≠ 0.
A quadratic equation in x also called a second degree polynomial equation in x.
The values of x in this equation are called roots of the equation.
Methods to solve quadratic equations
1. Factoring
2. Completing the square
3. Quadratic formula