Graphs of Polynomial Functions

I – OBJECTIVES:

The learner graph’s polynomial function. (M10AL-IIa-b-1)

a. Describe the behavior of the graph using the Leading Coefficient Test.
b. Identify the number of turning points and the behavior of the graph based on the multiplicity of
zeros.

II – CONCEPT:

Aside from the Intercepts, there are many other things to consider when we draw the graph of a polynomial
function. These are some other things that we need to take into consideration, a. multiplicity of roots. b.
behavior of the graph c. number of turning points.

Things to consider before we draw the graph of a polynomial function.

a. x- and y- intercepts
b. multiplicity of roots
If 𝑟 is a zero of odd multiplicity, the graph of (𝑥) crosses the x-axis at r.
If is a zero of even multiplicity, the graph of (𝑥) is tangent to the xaxis at 𝑟.
c. behavior of the graph
The following characteristics of polynomial functions will give us additional information.
The graph of a polynomial function:
i. comes down from the extreme left and goes up to the extreme right if n is even and 𝑎𝑛 > 0

ii. comes up from the extreme left and goes up to the extreme right if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 > 0

iii. comes up from the extreme left and goes down to the extreme right if n is even and 𝑎𝑛 < 0

iv. comes down from the extreme left and goes down to the extreme right if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 < 0

For additional help, we can summarize this in the figure:

n is even n is odd

an >0

an< 0

d. number of turning points:

Remember that the number of turning points in the graph of a polynomial is strictly less than the
degree
of the polynomial. Also, we must note that;
i.Quartic Functions: have an odd number of turning points; at most 3 turning points
ii.Quintic functions: have an even number of turning points, at most 4 turning points
iii.The number of turning points is at most (𝑛 − 1)

Illustrative Examples:
1. Describe the behavior of the graph of f(x) = (𝑥 + 1)2 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3).

a. x- and y-intercepts: x-intercepts: −2, −1,−1,2, 3 y-intercept: 12

The graph will intersect the x-axis at (−2,0), (−1,0),(2,0), (3,0) and the y-axis at (0,12).

b. multiplicity
If 𝑟 is a zero of odd multiplicity, the graph of (x) crosses the x-axis at r.
If 𝑟 is a zero of even multiplicity, the graph of (x) is tangent to the x-axis at 𝑟.
Since the root -1 is of even multiplicity 2, then the graph of the polynomial is tangent to the x-axis
at -1.
c. behavior of the graph:
The following characteristics of polynomial functions will give us additional information.
The graph of a polynomial function:
i. comes down from the extreme left and goes up to the extreme right if n is even and 𝑎𝑛 > 0
ii. comes up from the extreme left and goes up to the extreme right if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 > 0
iii. comes up from the extreme left and goes down to the extreme right if n is even and 𝑎𝑛 < 0
iv. comes down from the extreme left and goes down to the extreme right if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 < 0

Illustrative Examples:
1. Describe the behavior of the graph of f(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 1)2 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3).

a. x- and y-intercepts: x-intercepts:−2,−1,−1,2, 3 y-intercept: 12

The graph will intersect the x-axis at (−2,0),(−1,0),(2,0), (3,0) and the y-axis at (0,12).

b. multiplicity
If 𝑟 is a zero of odd multiplicity, the graph of (𝑥) crosses the x-axis at r.
If 𝑟 is a zero of even multiplicity, the graph of (𝑥) is tangent to the x-axis at 𝑟.
Since the root -1 is of even multiplicity 2, then the graph of the polynomial is tangent to the x-
axis at -1.

c. behavior of the graph:

The following characteristics of polynomial functions will give us additional information.
The graph of a polynomial function:
i. comes down from the extreme left and goes up to the extreme right if n is even and 𝑎𝑛 > 0
ii. comes up from the extreme left and goes up to the extreme right if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 > 0
iii. comes up from the extreme left and goes down to the extreme right if n is even and 𝑎𝑛 < 0
iv. comes down from the extreme left and goes down to the extreme right if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 < 0

If the polynomial function 𝑃(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 1)2(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3) is written in the standard form then we
have 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑥5 − 𝑥4 − 9𝑥3 + 𝑥2 + 20𝑥 + 12

We can easily see that this is a 5th degree polynomial. Thus, 𝑛 is odd. The leading term is 𝑥5, 𝑎𝑛 = 1
and 𝑎𝑛 > 0.

Therefore, the graph of the polynomial comes up from the extreme left and goes up to the extreme right
if n is odd and 𝑎𝑛 > 0

d. number of turning points:

Remember that the number of turning points in the graph of a polynomial is strictly less than the
degree of the polynomial. Also, we must note that;
i.Quartic Functions: have an odd number of turning points; at most 3 turning points
ii.Quintic functions: have an even number of turning points, at most 4 turning points
iii.The number of turning points is at most (𝑛 − 1)

For our graph to pass through the intercepts (−2,0), (2,0), (3,0) and tangent at (−1,0), there will be 4
turning points.

2. Describe the behavior of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥4 − 5𝑥2 + 4

a. x- and y-intercepts
The polynomial in factored form is 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2)
The roots(x-intercepts) are 1,−1, 2 and −2.
The y-intercept is 4

The graph will intersect the x-axis at (−2,0),(−1,0),(2,0), (1,0) and the y-axis at (0,4).

b. multiplicity
There are no roots of even multiplicity.

c. behavior of the graph: 𝑛 = 4 and is even

 Since 𝑛 is even and 𝑎𝑛 > 0, then the graph comes down from the extreme left and goes up to the
extreme right.

d. turning points
There are 3 turning points.

For more illustrative examples, watch the following videos:

[Tagalog] Graphing polynomial function using table of values #math10 #graphingpolynomialfunction - YouTube

[Tagalog] X and Y intercepts polynomial function #math10 #x-intercepts #y-intercepts #intercept - YouTube

[Tagalog] Graphing polynomial function using table of values #math10 #graphingpolynomialfunction - YouTube

ACTIVITY:

A) Find the following then describe the behavior of the graph of 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 𝑥2 − 8𝑥 + 12

a. leading term: ______

b. behavior of the graph: ____________________ ( 𝑛 is odd and 𝑎𝑛 > 0)

c. x-intercepts: ________ the polynomial in factored form is 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 2)2(𝑥 + 3)

d. multiplicity of roots:_____

e. y-intercept:_________

f. number of turning points:

B) Describe the graph of the following polynomial functions:

1. 𝑦 = 𝑥3 + 3𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 3

2. 𝑦 = −𝑥3 + 2𝑥2 + 11𝑥 – 12

C) For the given polynomial function 𝑦 = −(𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 + 1)4(𝑥− 1)3, describe or determine the following.

a. leading term

b. behavior of the graph

c. x-intercepts

d. multiplicity of roots e. y-intercept

f. number of turning points