MATH030 – College Algebra

LECTURE 6
WRITING THE EQUATION OF A QUADRATIC FUNCTION IN VERTEX
FORM

Question 1
Find the equation of the quadratic function with the given vertex and containing the given point.

a. Vertex , containing the point

b. Vertex: , containing the point

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APPLICATIONS OF QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Question 2

It costs Acme Manufacturing C dollars per hour to operate its golf ball division. An analyst has
determined that C is related to the number of golf balls produced per hour, x, by the function
C=0.009 x 2−1.8 x+100 .

a. What number of balls per hour should Acme produce to minimize the cost per hour of
manufacturing these golf balls?

b. What is the minimum cost?

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Question 3

If a projectile is launched with an initial velocity of 64 feet per second from an initial height of 5
feet, then its height s(t ) in feet is determined by s(t )=−16 t 2+64 t+5 , where t is the time in
seconds.

a. How long does it take for the projectile to reach maximum height?

b. What is the maximum height reached by the projectile?

c. After how many seconds does the projectile hit the ground (hint: Height = 0)

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POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

Example
Polynomial Function Degree

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Question 4
Find the degree, leading term, leading coefficient, and constant term of the following
polynomials:

a.

b.

c.

d.

The simplest polynomial functions are those whose rules are of the form (where
a is a constant).

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Question 5
Graph the following:

a b.
.

Question 6
Graph .

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The graph of has one of four basic shapes illustrated below.

Graph of when n is ODD

Graph of when n is EVEN

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When the polynomials are more complicated than the ones shown discussed previously, the
graphs may have several “peaks” and “valleys.”

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Question 7
Let’s analyze a few more complicated polynomial functions:

a b
. .

# of peaks: # of peaks:
# of valleys: # of valleys:
# of x – intercepts: # of x – intercepts:
Degree: Degree:

c d
. .

# of peaks: # of peaks:
# of valleys: # of valleys:
# of x – intercepts: # of x – intercepts:
Degree: Degree:

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From the last question we can conclude the following:

The number of x – intercepts on the graph of a polynomial function of degree n is at most n.

Also, the following holds true:

The graph of a polynomial function in a smooth, unbroken curve that extends forever to the
left and right.

When is large, the graph resembles the graph of its highest degree term and moves
sharply away from the x – axis.

Question 8
Sketch the shape of the following functions based on their degrees:
a.

b.

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Question 9
Find the y – and x – intercepts of the following functions:

a.

b.

c.

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Question 10
Without graphing the function, determine the local behavior of the function by finding the
maximum number of x – intercepts, and turning points for:

a.

b.

Question 11
a. What can you conclude about the polynomial represented by the graph shown below
based on its intercepts and turning points?

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 b. What can you conclude about the polynomial represented by the graph shown below
based on its intercepts and turning points?

Multiplicities of Polynomials

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Now,
With all that we have discussed above we can attempt to roughly graph polynomials of degree n.
Accurate graphs of the polynomial functions require technology.

Question 12
Draw a rough sketch of the graph of the following functions using the x – and y – intercepts and
your knowledge of the shape of polynomial function graphs.

a.

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b.

c.

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Writing Formulas for Polynomial Functions

Question 13
a. Write the formula for the polynomial function shown below:

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b. Write the formula for the polynomial function shown below:

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