Grade 10 Extended Mathematics Unit 5: Polynomials

Lesson 5: Graphing Cubic Polynomials

Note 1: Types of Cubic Polynomials

Type 1: Three real, distinct zeros

• The graph of the cubic polynomial “cuts” the 𝑥-axis at three distinct 𝑥-intercepts
𝜶, 𝜷, and 𝜸, where 𝜶, 𝜷, 𝜸 ∈ ℝ.

• The equation is 𝑷(𝒙) = 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝜶)(𝒙 − 𝜷)(𝒙 − 𝜸).

• The three distinct zeros of 𝑃(𝑥) correspond to the three distinct 𝑥-intercepts of the
graph. The zeros are 𝒙 = 𝜶, 𝒙 = 𝜷, and 𝒙 = 𝜸.

Type 2: Two real zeros, one repeated

• The graph of the cubic polynomial “cuts” the 𝑥-axis at 𝒙 = 𝜷 and “touches” the 𝑥-axis
at 𝒙 = 𝜶, where 𝜶, 𝜷 ∈ ℝ.

• The equation is 𝑷(𝒙) = 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝜶)𝟐 (𝒙 − 𝜷)

• The one distinct zero of 𝑃(𝑥) at 𝒙 = 𝜷 corresponds to the “cut” of the 𝑥-axis.

• The one repeated zero of 𝑃(𝑥) at 𝒙 = 𝜶 corresponds to the “touch” of the 𝑥-axis.
Type 3: One real zero repeated three times

• The graph of the cubic polynomial has only one 𝑥-intercept.

• There is a “horizontal cut” of the 𝑥-axis at 𝒙 = 𝜶.

• The equation is 𝑷(𝒙) = 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝜶)𝟑

• The one zero of 𝑃(𝑥) at 𝒙 = 𝜶 is repeated three times and corresponds to the
“horizontal cut” of the 𝑥-axis.

Type 4: One real zero and two complex conjugate zeros

• The graph of the cubic polynomial has only one 𝑥-intercept.

• There is a “non-horizontal cut” of the 𝑥-axis at 𝒙 = 𝜶.

• The equation is 𝑷(𝒙) = (𝒙 − 𝜶)(𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄)

• The one real zero of 𝑃(𝑥) at 𝒙 = 𝜶 corresponds to the cut of the 𝑥-axis.

• The two complex conjugate zeros of 𝑃(𝑥) do not appear on the graph.

• The discriminant of the quadratic factor is negative, i.e. ∆< 0.

Note 2: Other facts about cubic polynomials

1. All polynomials are continuous smooth curves.

2. All cubic (odd) polynomials cut the 𝑥-axis at least once. This implies that they must
have at least one real zero.

3.
If 𝑎 > 0 then the graph is upright: If 𝑎 > 0 then the graph is inverted:
Example 1
Find the equation of the cubic with graph:
Example 2
Find the equation of the cubic with graph:

Example 3
Find the equation of the cubic which cuts the 𝑥-axis at 2, -3 and -4 and passes through
the point (1, −40).
Note 3: Two special cases

Case 1: Finding the equation of a cubic graph where there is an unknown 𝑥-intercept?

For example, let’s say we know 𝑥 = 𝑘 is a zero corresponding to a “touch” of the 𝑥-axis
but we don’t know where the cut happens:

A helpful strategy in this case is to represent the unknown 𝑥-intercept using a linear
factor in general form:
𝑷(𝒙) = (𝒙 − 𝒌)𝟐 (𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃)

Case 2: Finding the equation of a cubic graph where there is only one given 𝑥-intercept

A helpful strategy in this case is to use a general form of a quadratic to represent the
quadratic factor. This quadratic factor would produce two complex zeros.

𝑷(𝒙) = (𝒙 − 𝒌)(𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄) where ∆< 0

Example 4
Find the equation of a real cubic polynomial which cuts the 𝑥-axis at 2, the 𝑦-axis at −4
and passes through (1, −1) and (−1, −21).
Investigation (Optional Enrichment)

See the next page once you have finished exploring the quartics mentioned
above.
In the Enrichment Investigation above you should have discovered that:
 Lesson 5 Homework

Assigned problems: EXERCISE 6F.1 (Questions 1 to 5)

ANSWERS