Determine whether each of the following is a

polynomial expression or not. Write P if it is a

polynomial, otherwise NP if it is not polynomial.
1. 18x 6. x3 + 3x + 1
3 1
2. 3𝜋 7. 𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 3
4 4

3. 3x3 - 7 2𝑥 + x 8. -5x100 + 5x100

1 4 3
4. 5 3 𝑥 + 7 3𝑥2 + 3x – 2 9. 3 + 4 −
2𝑥 3𝑥 4𝑥5
5. -2014 10. 1 – 26x2
A polynomial function is a function in the form
P(x) = 𝒂𝒏 𝒙𝒏 + 𝒂𝒏−𝟏 𝒙𝒏− 𝟏 + 𝒂𝒏−𝟐 𝒙𝒏− 𝟐 +𝒂𝒏−𝟑 𝟑
…𝒂𝟐 𝒙2 + 𝒂𝟏 𝒙 + 𝒂𝟎 , 𝒂𝒏 ≠ 0
Where: 𝑎0 , 𝑎1 …𝑎𝑛 are real numbers called
coefficients. n is a nonnegative integer, 𝑎𝑛 𝑥𝑛 is
the leading term, 𝑎𝑛 is the leading coefficients
and 𝑎0 is the constant term.

P(x) = 𝒂𝒏 𝒙𝒏 + 𝒂𝒏−𝟏 𝒙𝒏− 𝟏 + 𝒂𝒏−𝟐 𝒙𝒏− 𝟐 +𝒂𝒏−𝟑 𝟑

…𝒂𝟐 𝒙2 + 𝒂𝟏 𝒙 + 𝒂𝟎
or
y = 𝒂𝒏 𝒙𝒏 + 𝒂𝒏−𝟏 𝒙𝒏− 𝟏 + 𝒂𝒏−𝟐 𝒙𝒏− 𝟐 +𝒂𝒏−𝟑 𝟑 …𝒂𝟐 𝒙2 +
𝒂𝟏 𝒙 + 𝒂𝟎
Identify if the given is an example of
Polynomial Function.
1. y = 5x4 + 4x3 - 2x2 - 8
2. f(x) = 3x + 6 – x3 + 8x-4
1
3. P(x) = x3 –
𝑥3

Write the polynomial function f(x) = 3x – 8 +

4x5 in standard form.
Types of Polynomial Functions
There are various types of polynomial functions
based on the degree of the polynomial. The most
common types are:

Zero Polynomial Function: P(x) = a = ax0

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
Types of Polynomial Functions

Polynomial Example Degree

Constant 1 0
Linear 2x + 1 1
Quadratic 3x2 + 2x + 1 2
4x3 + 3x2 + 2x
Cubic 3
+1
5x4 + 4x3 +
Quartic 4
3x2 + 2x + 1
Recall: Steps in factoring polynomial functions:
1. Factor out the monomial factors
2. Apply special products or re-grouping

Polynomials can be written in factored form and

as a product of factor that can no longer be
factored out using coefficients that are real
numbers.

1. f(x) = x6 – 3x4 + 2x2

2. y = x3 – 5x2 – x + 5
3. h(x) = x3 + 4x2 + x – 6
4. F(x) = 2x4 + 7x3 – 4x2 – 27x – 18
INTERCEPTS OF THE GRAPH

The intercepts of a graph are points at which the

graph crosses the axes. The x-intercept is the
point at which the graph crosses the x-axis. At
this point, the y-coordinate is zero. The y-
intercept is the point at which the graph crosses
the y-axis. At this point, the x-coordinate is zero.

Consider the graph of f(x) = (x + 1)(x – 1)(x – 5)

INTERCEPTS OF THE GRAPH

There are three x-intercepts: (−1,0), (1,0),

and (5,0). The y-intercept is (0, 5).
INTERCEPTS OF THE GRAPH
Two ways in finding the x-intercepts of the
graph of polynomial functions:

 Factor polynomials completely using any

possible methods (monomial factors, special
products, trial and error, etc.). Set f(x) or y to
zero. Then, equate each factor to zero and
solve for the unknown variable.

 Apply Rational Root Theorem. Then, test all the

possible roots using Synthetic Division or
Factor Theorem.
Examples
1. Solve for the x-intercepts.
a. P(x) = 2x2(x – 1)3(x + 2)2
b. y = x3 + 2x2 – 7x + 4
c. f(x) = x2 – 4x – 12

2. Find the y-intercept of the graph of y = x4 +

6x3 – x2 – 6
MULTIPLICITY OF ROOTS

The real roots of a polynomial functions

correspond to the x-intercepts of the graph
of that polynomial. So the number of real
roots of a polynomial, by looking at the
graph, we can tell how many times the
graph is going to touch or cross the x-axis.
A root has a multiplicity, which refers to the
number of times that its associated factor
appears in the polynomial.
MULTIPLICITY OF ROOTS

If the multiplicity is odd, the graph will

cross the x-axis at that zero. That is, it
will change sides, or be on opposite
sides of the x-axis. If the multiplicity is
even, the graph will touch the x-axis at
that zero. That is, it will stay on the same
side of the axis.
MULTIPLICITY OF ROOTS
Example

List the roots of y = 3(x + 5)3(x + 2)4(x –

1)2(x – 5) and
 x + 5 has 3 factors, (x + 5)3. So, the
root -5 has a multiplicity of 3
 x + 2 has 4 factors, (x + 2)4. So, the
root -2 has a multiplicity of 4
 x – 1 has 2 factors, (x – 1)2. So, the root
1 has a multiplicity of 2
 x – 5 has 1 factors, (x – 5). So, the root
5 has a multiplicity of 1 its multiplicity.