GRACE MISSION COLLEGE

Catiningan, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro

E-Mail: grace.missioncollege@yahoo.com
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
-Proverbs 1:7

MATHEMATICS 10
Quarter II Week 1-2

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ______________

Grade and Section: ____________________________ Score: _____________

TOPIC: Polynomial Functions

INTRODUCTION:
In this module you will learn the concepts of polynomial functions. Polynomial functions are mathematical
models used to represent more complicated situations in physics, economics, meteorology, ecology, biology, and
others. They are formed using real numbers just like the linear and quadratic functions. In fact, linear and quadratic
functions are special types of polynomial functions.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• define and illustrate polynomial functions; and

• describe and interpret the graphs of polynomial functions.
• Appreciate the importance of polynomial functions in real life situations.

PRE-ASSESSMENT:
Directions: Read the questions carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer

1.Which of the following is NOT a polynomial function?

2. In the polynomial function 𝑓(𝑥)=𝟔𝒙𝟑+𝟕𝒙𝟒+𝟏𝟎+𝟒𝒙𝟐−𝟑𝒙, what is the leading coefficient?

A. 7 B. 6 C. 4 D. -3
3. The graph of (𝑥)=(𝑥+1)(2𝑥−3)(𝑥+2) crosses the x – axis __________.
A. once B. twice C. thrice D. four time
4.Which polynomial function in factored form represents the given graph?

A. 𝒚=(𝟐𝒙+𝟑)(𝒙−𝟏)𝟐
B. 𝒚=−(𝟐𝒙+𝟑)(𝒙−𝟏)𝟐
C. 𝒚=(𝟐𝒙+𝟑)𝟐(𝒙−𝟏)
D. 𝒚=−(𝟐𝒙+𝟑)𝟐(𝒙−𝟏)

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5. Your friend Myrna asks your help in drawing a rough sketch of the graph of 𝒚=−(𝒙𝟐+𝟏)(𝟐𝒙𝟒−𝟑) by means
of the Leading Coefficient Test. How will you explain the behavior of the graph?
A. The graph is falling to the left and rising to the right.
B. The graph is rising to both left and right.
C. The graph is rising to the left and falling to the right. D. The graph is falling to
both left and right.

Key Concept

TOPIC 1 : POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

The mathematical statements in the previous activity are examples of polynomial functions. A polynomial
function is a function of the form
𝑃(𝑥)=𝑎n 𝑥n+𝑎n-1−𝑥n-1 +𝑎n-2−𝑥n-2 +⋯+𝑎1 𝑥+𝑎0, 𝑎𝑛≠0,

where n is a nonnegative integer, 𝑎0 ,𝑎1,…,𝑎𝑛 are real numbers called coefficients, 𝑎n 𝑥n is the
leading term, 𝑎n is the leading coefficient, and 𝑎0 is the constant term.
The terms of a polynomial may be written in any order. However, if they are written in decreasing powers
of x, we say the polynomial function is in standard form.

Other than P(x), a polynomial function may also be denoted by f(x). sometimes, a polynomial function is
represented by a set P of ordered pairs (x, y). Thus, a polynomial function can be written in different ways, like
the following.

Polynomials may also be written in factored form and as a product of irreducible factors, that is, a factor
that can no longer be factored using coefficients that are real numbers. Here are some examples.

a. 𝑦=𝑥4+2𝑥3−𝑥2+14𝑥−56 in factored form 𝑦=(𝑥2+7)(𝑥−2)(𝑥+4)

b. 𝑦=𝑥4−2𝑥3−13𝑥2−10𝑥 in factored form 𝑦=(𝑥−5)(𝑥+2)(𝑥+1)
c. (𝑥)=6𝑥3+45𝑥2+66𝑥−45 in factored form 𝑦=3(2𝑥−1)(𝑥+3)(𝑥+5)

Activity 1: Fill in the Box

Direction: Consider the given polynomial functions then fill in the table below.

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Polynomial Functions Polynomial Degree Leading Constant term
Function in coefficient
standard form
1. f(x) = 2-11x + 2x2

2. f(x)=
3. y – ( x ( x2- 5 )

4. y = -x ( x+3 ) ( x-3)

5. y = ( x+ 4 ) ( x+1) ( x-1)2

Process Question:
1. What did you find most interesting about the polynomial functions?
2. Why is there a need to have a complete understanding of the topic to solve a problem? How about in
your life ?

Activity 2 : Do you miss me ? Here I Am Again ?

Factor each polynomial completely using any method .

1. ( x-1 ) (x2 – 5x + 6 )
2. ( x2 + x -6 ) ( x2 -6x + 9 )
3. ( 2 x2 -5x + 3 ) (x-3)
4. x3 + 3 x2 -4x -12
5. 2x4+ 7x3 – 4x2- 27x – 18

Process Questions :
1. Did you get the answers correctly ?
2. What method(s) did you use ?

The preceding task is very important for you since it has something to do with the x – intercepts of a graph.
These are the x – values when y = 0, thus, the point(s) where the graph intersects the x – axis can be determined.
To recall the relationship between factors and x – intercepts, consider this example:
A. Find the intercepts of 𝑦= x3 -4 x2 +x + 6 .
Solution :
To find the x – intercept/s, set y = 0. Use the factored form. That is,
𝑦=𝑥3−4𝑥2+𝑥+6
𝑦=(𝑥+1)(𝑥−2)(𝑥−3) Factor completely
0=(𝑥+1)(𝑥−2)(𝑥−3) Equate y = 0
𝑥+1=0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥−2=0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥−3=0 Equate each factor to 0 to determine x
𝑥=−1 𝑥=2 𝑥=3

The x – intercepts are −1, 2, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 3. This means the graph will pass through (−1,0),(2,0),𝑎𝑛𝑑 (3,0).
Finding the y – intercept is more straight forward. Simply set x = 0 in the given polynomial. That is,
𝑦=𝑥3−4𝑥2+𝑥+6
𝑦=03−4(0)2+0+6
𝑦=0
The y – intercept is 6. This means the graph will also pass through (0,6).
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 Activity 3 : FILL IN THE BLANKS

Directions: Given the polynomial function 𝑦=(𝑥+4)(𝑥+2)(𝑥−1)(𝑥−3), complete the table below. Answer the
questions that follow.

Value Value Relation of y value to 0: 𝑦>0,=0,𝑜𝑟𝑦<0? Location of the point (x,y): above the x – axis,
of x of y on the x – axis, or below the x – axis

-5 144 𝑦>0 above the x – axis

-4
-3
-2 0 𝑦=0 on the x – axis
0
1
2
3
4

Questions:
1. At what point(s) does the graph pass through the x – axis?
2. If 𝑥<−4, what can you say about the graph?
3. If −4<𝑥<−2, what can you say about the graph?
4. If −2<𝑥<1, what can you say about the graph?
5. If 1<𝑥<3, what can you say about the graph?
6. If 𝑥>3, what can you say about the graph?

This table may be transformed into a simpler one that will instantly help you in locating the curve. We
call this the table of signs.
The roots of the polynomial function 𝑦=(𝑥+4)(𝑥+2)(𝑥−1)(𝑥−3) are 𝑥=−4,−2,1,𝑎𝑛𝑑 3. These are the only
values of x where the graph will cross the x – axis. These roots partition the number lines into interval. Test values
are then chosen from within each interval.
The table of signs and the rough sketch of the graph of this function can now be constructed, as shown
below.

The Table of Signs

INTERVALS

𝑥<−4 −4<𝑥<−2 −2<𝑥<1 1<𝑥<3 𝑥>3

Test Value -5 -3 0 2 4
(𝑥+4) - + + + +
(𝑥+2) - - -+ + +
(𝑥−1) - - - + +
(x-3) - - - - +

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𝑦=(𝑥+4)(𝑥+2) + - + - +
(𝑥−1)(𝑥−3)

Position of the above below above below Above

curve relative to
the x - axis

The Graph of 𝒚=(𝒙+𝟒)(𝒙+𝟐)(𝒙−𝟏)(𝒙−𝟑).

We can now use the information from the table of signs to construct a possible graph of the function. At
this level, though, we cannot determine the turning points of the graph, we can only be certain that the graph is
correct with respect to intervals where the graph is above, below, or on the x-axis.

The arrow heads at both ends of the graph signify that the graph indefinitely goes upward.
In this activity, you learned how to sketch the graph of polynomial functions using the intercepts, some points,
and the position of the curves determined from the table of signs.

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 Activity 4: Follow My Path

Shown below are polynomial functions and their corresponding graphs. Study each figure and answer the
questions that follow.
Case 1
The graph on the right is defined by
3 2
𝑦=2𝑥 −7𝑥 −7𝑥+12
or in factored form

𝑦=(2𝑥+3)(𝑥−1)(𝑥−4)
Questions:
a. Is the leading coefficient a positive
or a negative number?

b. Is the polynomial of even degree or

odd degree?

c. Observe the end behaviors of the

graph on both sides. Is it rising or
falling to the left or to the right?

Case 2
The graph on the right is defined by
𝑦=−𝑥5+3𝑥4+𝑥3−7𝑥2+4 or in factored form
𝑦=−(𝑥+1)2(𝑥−1)(𝑥−2)2 Questions:
a. Is the leading coefficient a positive
or a negative number?

b. Is the polynomial of even degree or

odd degree?

c. Observe the end behaviors of the

graph on both sides. Is it rising or falling to
the left or to the right?

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 Case 3
The graph on the right is defined by
𝑦=𝑥4−7𝑥2+6𝑥 or in factored form
𝑦=(𝑥+3)(𝑥−1)(𝑥−2)
Questions:
a. Is the leading coefficient a positive or a
negative number?
b. Is the polynomial of even degree or odd
degree?
c. Observe the end behaviors of the graph
on both sides. Is it rising or falling to the left or
to the right?

Case 4
The graph on the right is defined by
4 3 2
𝑦=−𝑥 +2𝑥 +13𝑥 −14𝑥−24
or in factored form 𝑦=−(𝑥+3)(𝑥+1)(𝑥−2)(𝑥−4)

Questions:
a. Is the leading coefficient a positive
or a negative number?

b. Is the polynomial of even degree or

odd degree?

c. Observe the end behaviors of the

graph on both sides. Is it rising or
falling to the left or to the right?

Activity 5: It’s Your Turn , Show Me

For each of the following function below, give

a. the x – intercepts
b. the intervals obtained when the x – intercepts are used to partition the number line
c. c. the table of signs
d. a sketch of the graph;
1. 𝑦=(2𝑥+3)(𝑥−1)(𝑥−4)
2. 𝑦=𝑥4−26𝑥2+25
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Questions:
a. What happens to the graph as x decreases without bound?
b. For which interval(s) is the graph (i) above and (ii) below the x-axis?
c. What happens to the graph as x increases without bound?
d. What is the leading term of the polynomial function?
e. What are the leading coefficient and the degree of the function?

POST ASSESSMENT:
Directions: Read the questions carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer

1.Which of the following is NOT a polynomial function?

2. In the polynomial function 𝑓(𝑥)=𝟔𝒙𝟑+𝟕𝒙𝟒+𝟏𝟎+𝟒𝒙𝟐−𝟑𝒙, what is the leading coefficient?

A. 7 B. 6 C. 4 D. -3

3. The graph of (𝑥)=(𝑥+1)(2𝑥−3)(𝑥+2) crosses the x – axis __________.

A. once B. twice C. thrice D. four time

4.Which polynomial function in factored form represents the given graph?

A. 𝒚=(𝟐𝒙+𝟑)(𝒙−𝟏)𝟐
B. 𝒚=−(𝟐𝒙+𝟑)(𝒙−𝟏)𝟐
C. 𝒚=(𝟐𝒙+𝟑)𝟐(𝒙−𝟏)
D. 𝒚=−(𝟐𝒙+𝟑)𝟐(𝒙−𝟏)

5. Your friend Myrna asks your help in drawing a rough sketch of the graph of 𝒚=−(𝒙𝟐+𝟏)(𝟐𝒙𝟒−𝟑) by means
of the Leading Coefficient Test. How will you explain the behavior of the graph?
A. The graph is falling to the left and rising to the right.
B. The graph is rising to both left and right.
C. The graph is rising to the left and falling to the right. D. The graph is falling to
both left and right.