SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL Polynomial Functions MATHEMATICS GRADE 10 NOTE

Unit 2
Polynomial Functions
Lesson 1
1. Introduction to polynomial functions

Function f is a relation in which no two ordered pairs have the same first element.

 Linear Function (f): If it can be written in the form of

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏, 𝑎 ≠ 0 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ ℝ .
Domain of linear functions = {𝒙/𝒙 ∈ ℝ }
Range of linear functions = {𝒚/𝒚 ∈ ℝ }
 If 𝑎 = 𝑜, then the function is called constant function.
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 Domain of constant functions = {𝒙/𝒙 ∈ ℝ }
Range of constant functions = {𝒃}
 Quadratic function (f): 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 , 𝑎 ≠ 0, 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ ℝ
Domain of quadratic function = {𝒙/𝒙 ∈ ℝ }
Range of quadratic function depends on the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐.

4𝑎𝑐−𝑏2
Range of quadratic function = {𝑦: 𝑦 ≥ , 𝑖𝑓 𝑎 > 0}
4𝑎
4𝑎𝑐−𝑏2
= {𝑦: 𝑦 ≤ , 𝑖𝑓 𝑎 < 0}
4𝑎

Lesson 2
Definition of a polynomial function
Definition: Let n be a non-negative integer and let 𝑎𝑛 , 𝑎𝑛−1 , 𝑎𝑛−2 . . . , 𝑎1 , 𝑎0 be real
numbers with 𝑎𝑛 ≠ 0. The function 𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + 𝑎𝑛−2 𝑥 𝑛−2 +. . . , 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0
is called a polynomial function in variable 𝑥 of degree 𝒏.
i. 𝑎𝑛 , 𝑎𝑛−1 , 𝑎𝑛−2 . . . , 𝑎1 , 𝑎0 are called the coefficients of the polynomial function
(or simply the polynomial).
ii. The number an is called the leading coefficient of the polynomial function and
𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 is the leading term.
iii. The number 𝑎0 is called the constant term of the polynomial.

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SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL Polynomial Functions MATHEMATICS GRADE 10 NOTE

iv. The number n (the exponent of the highest power of x), is the degree of
the polynomial.
v. 𝑎𝑘 𝑥 𝑘 is called a term.
Note that The domain of a polynomial function is ℝ.
Note:
 Constant functions ( 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 ) are polynomial functions degree 0.
3
Example: 𝑓(𝑥) = 2, 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 , 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝜋 ,…, degree 0.

 𝑓(𝑥) = 0, the only polynomial function that has no degree.

 Linear function(𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) , are polynomial functions degree 1.
 Quadratic function (𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 , 𝑎 ≠ 0, 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ ℝ ) are polynomial functions
degree 2.
Examples:
1. Which of the following are polynomial functions? For those which are polynomials,
find the degree, leading coefficient, and constant term.
2
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 𝑥 4 − 7𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + √3
2
It is a polynomial function of degree 4 with leading coefficient and
5

constant term √3 .
5𝑥
b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥

It is not a polynomial function because its domain is not ℝ.

c. ℎ(𝑥) = √(𝑥 + 2)2

It is not a polynomial function because ℎ(𝑥) = √(𝑥 + 2)2 = |𝑥 + 2| , Absolute

value function.
d. 𝑓(𝑥) = √(𝑥 2 + 2)2 = |𝑥 2 + 2| = 𝑥 2 + 2
It is a polynomial function of degree 2 with leading coefficient 1 and
constant term 2 .
e. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 −4 − 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 1
It is not a polynomial function because negative exponent.
𝑥 2 +2
f. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 +2
𝑥 2 +2
𝑥 2 +2
= 1, It is a polynomial function of degree 0 with leading coefficient 1

and constant term 1 .

𝑥2
g. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 ≠ 1,

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SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL Polynomial Functions MATHEMATICS GRADE 10 NOTE

It is not a polynomial function because its domain is not ℝ.

𝑥 2 −2
h. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −2

It is not a polynomial function because its domain is not ℝ.

(𝑥−1)(𝑥 2 +2)
i. 𝑓(𝑥) = =𝑥−1
𝑥 2 +2
(𝑥−1)(𝑥 2 +2)
= 𝑥 − 1, It is a polynomial function of degree 1 with leading coefficient
𝑥 2 +2

1 and constant term -1 .

j. 𝑔(𝑥) = (2√𝑥 − √2)(2√𝑥 + √2)
4𝑥 − 2, It is a polynomial function of degree 1 with leading coefficient 4 and
constant term -2.
k. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝜋𝑥 4 − √2𝑥 3 − √5
It is a polynomial function of degree 4 with leading coefficient 𝜋 and constant
term −√5.
1
l. 𝑝(𝑥) = √2𝑥 + 𝑥 − 3 = (2𝑥)2 + 𝑥 − 3
1
It is not a polynomial function because, √2𝑥 = (2𝑥)2 .
m. 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3𝑥 2 − 2
It is not a polynomial function.
𝑥 2 +3−6𝑥 5 7
2. For the polynomial function, 𝑓(𝑥) = + 8 𝑥 − 𝑥3
4

a. What is the degree? c) Find 𝑎𝑛 , 𝑎𝑛−1 , 𝑎𝑛−2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎2 ?

b. What is the leading coefficient? d) What is the constant term?
𝑥 2 + 3 − 6𝑥 5 7 3
−3𝑥 5 3
𝑥2 7 3
𝑓(𝑥) = + 𝑥−𝑥 = −𝑥 + + 𝑥+
4 8 2 4 8 4
−3 1
Degree 5, leading coefficient(𝑎𝑛 ) = 𝑎5 = , 𝑎𝑛−1 = 𝑎4 = 0, 𝑎𝑛−2 = 𝑎3 = −1, 𝑎2 = 4 and
2
3
constant term(𝑎0 ) = 4

Although the domain of a polynomial function is the set of all real numbers have to
set a restriction on the domain because of other circumstances. For a geometrical
application, if a rectangle is x centimeters long, and p (x) is the area of the rectangle,
the domain of the function p is the set of positive real numbers. S population
function, the domain is the set of positive integers.

Based on the types of coefficients it has, a polynomial function, p is said to be:

 a polynomial function over integers , if the coefficients of 𝑝(𝑥) are all integers.

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SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL Polynomial Functions MATHEMATICS GRADE 10 NOTE

 a polynomial function over rational numbers, if the coefficients of 𝑝(𝑥) are all
rational numbers.
 a polynomial function over real numbers, if the coefficients of 𝑝(𝑥) are all real
numbers.

Remark: Every polynomial function that we will consider in this unit is a polynomial
function over the real numbers.

Lesson 3
Operation on Polynomial Functions
A. Adding and Subtracting Polynomial Functions
You can add or subtract polynomial functions in the same way as you add or
subtract real numbers. Simply combine the like terms.
Note that like terms are terms having the same variables to the same powers but
possibly different coefficients.
The degree of the sum or the difference of two polynomial function is less than or
equal to the degree of the polynomial with higher degree.
Let 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) be two polynomial functions then:
i. 𝑓 + 𝑔 ∶ (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥) , for all 𝑥 ∈ ℝ
ii. 𝑓 − 𝑔 ∶ (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥) , for all 𝑥 ∈ ℝ
Example
Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4 and (𝑥) = 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 , then find a) 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)
b) 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥) c) The degree of (𝑓 + 𝑔) and (𝑓 − 𝑔)
a) 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4 + (𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 )

= 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 2 + 4 + 6𝑥 ….. (Collecting the like terms)

= 2𝑥 4 + 2𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 4 + 6𝑥 + 4 ….. (Combining the like terms)

b) 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4) − (𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 )
= 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4 − 𝑥 4 + 𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 …. (Removing brackets)

= 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 3 + 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 2 + 4 − 6𝑥 ….. (Collecting the like terms)

= 4𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 4 ….. (Combining the like terms)

c) The degree of (𝑓 + 𝑔) is 4 and (𝑓 − 𝑔) is 3.

B. Multiplication of Polynomial Functions

To multiply two polynomial functions, multiply each term of one by each term of the
other, and collect like terms.

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SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL Polynomial Functions MATHEMATICS GRADE 10 NOTE

The product of two polynomial functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 is written as 𝑓 ⋅ 𝑔, and is defined as:

𝑓 ⋅ 𝑔: (𝑓 ⋅ 𝑔) (𝑥) = 𝑓 (𝑥) ⋅ 𝑔(𝑥), 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.

The degree of the product of two non-zero polynomials is the sum of the degree of the
two polynomials in then product. i.e Let the degree of 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑖𝑠 𝑛 and the degree of
𝑔(𝑥) 𝑖𝑠 𝑚, then the degree of 𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑖𝑠 𝑛 + 𝑚.

Example

Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2 and (𝑥) = 3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4 ,

then find 𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥) and the degree of (𝑓. 𝑔)

𝑓. 𝑔 = (5𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 2)(3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4)

= 5𝑥 2 (3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4) − 6𝑥(3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4) + 2(3𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 4)

= 15𝑥 5 − 5𝑥 4 − 20𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 4 + 6𝑥 3 − 24𝑥 + 6𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 8

= 15𝑥 5 − 5𝑥 4 − 18𝑥 4 + 6𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 3 − 20𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 + 8

= 15𝑥 5 − 23𝑥 4 + 12𝑥 3 − 22𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 + 8 , …. The degree 𝑓. 𝑔 is (2 + 3) = 5.

C. Division of Polynomial Functions

The quotient of two polynomial functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 is written as 𝑓 ÷ 𝑔, and is
defined as:
𝑓 ÷ 𝑔: (𝑓 ÷ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓 (𝑥) ÷ 𝑔(𝑥), 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.

Note: 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑑(𝑥). 𝑞(𝑥) + 𝑟(𝑥)

𝑃(𝑥) … . . Dividend , 𝑑(𝑥) … . . 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑟 ,
𝑃(𝑥) 𝑟(𝑥) 𝑞(𝑥) … . . 𝑄𝑢𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 , 𝑟(𝑥) … . . 𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟
) = 𝑞(𝑥) +
𝑑(𝑥) 𝑑(𝑥)

Examples:
1. Divide a) 4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 + 5 by 2𝑥 − 3 b) Divide 4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 + 5 by 2𝑥 − 3

𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑 Quotient 𝑸(𝒙) = 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑

a) 2𝑥 − 3 4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 + 5
−(4𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 )
6𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 5
−(6𝑥 2 − 9𝑥)
6𝑥 + 5
−(6𝑥 − 9)
14 remainder
Therefore, 4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 + 5 = (𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑)(2𝑥 − 3) + 𝟏𝟒 , Or
4𝑥 3 −3𝑥+5 𝟏𝟒
= 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑 +
2𝑥−3 𝟐𝒙−𝟑

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SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL Polynomial Functions MATHEMATICS GRADE 10 NOTE

b) 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 + 𝟔 Quotient 𝑸(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 + 𝟔
𝑥−3 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 8
−(𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 )
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 18
−(𝑥 2 − 3𝑥)
6𝑥 − 18
−(6𝑥 − 18)
0 remainder
𝑥 3 −2𝑥 2 +3𝑥−8
Therefore, 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 8 = (𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 + 𝟔)(𝑥 − 3) + 𝟎 , Or = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 + 𝟔
𝑥−3

𝑥 3𝑛 +5𝑥 2𝑛 +12𝑥 𝑛 +18

2. Divide , 𝑛 ∈ 𝑍+ 𝑥 2𝑛 + 2𝑥 𝑛 + 6
𝑥 𝑛 +3

𝑥𝑛 + 3 𝑥 3𝑛 + 5𝑥 2𝑛 + 12𝑥 𝑛 + 18
−(𝑥3𝑛 + 3𝑥2𝑛 )
2𝑥 2𝑛 + 12𝑥 𝑛 + 18
−(2𝑥2𝑛 + 6𝑥𝑛 )
6𝑥 𝑛 + 18
−(6𝑥𝑛 + 18)
0

2
3. Express the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 5𝑥 − 𝑥 + 8 in the form of

𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 𝑐)𝑞(𝑥) + 𝑟(𝑥) for 𝑐 = −2.

𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 13
𝑥+2 𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 8
2
−(𝑥3 + 2𝑥 )
−7𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 8
−(−7𝑥 2 − 14𝑥)
13𝑥 + 8
−(13𝑥 + 26)
−18
Therefore, 𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 8 = (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 13) − 18

NB- Dear Student read the grade 10 Mathematics

text book in addition to the handouts we are sending.

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