POLYNOMIAL AND RATIONAL

FUNCTIONS
We will look at:
oQuadratic Functions
oPolynomial Functions of a Higher Degree
oPolynomials and Synthetic Division
oComplex Numbers
oZeroes of Polynomial Functions
oRational Functions
INTRODUCTION TO QUADRATIC
FUNCTIONS
 A quadratic function is a function, or equation, that features an
x^2 term, and x term, and a constant. It is represented by:
f(x)=ax2+bx+c
 The graph a quadratic is a parabola. It resembles a “U” shape.

 The difference between a quadratic function and a polynomial

function is that a quadratic has an x that is the second power,
where as a in a polynomial the x is to any power.
 An example of using quadratics in everyday life is the projectile
motion function. You use the acceleration of gravity (-9.8m/sec
sq. – attached to x2) and your initial velocity (which is attached to
the x) and your initial height (which is your constant)
 It looks like -9.8x2+(initial velocity)x+initial height
CHARACTERISTICS OF QUADRATICS
 Standard form: the standard form for a quadratic graph
is f(x)=a(x-h)2+k
 “a” tells you whether the graph opens up or down
 “h” is the x-coordinate of your vertex, or middle of your
parabola
 “k” is the y – coordinate of your vertex

 The parent function, or typical reference graph, for

quadratics is f(x)=x2. It looks like:
EXAMPLE OF QUADRATICS
 Find the vertex of f(x)=3(x+5)2 – 3
 We know that f(x)=a(x-h)2 + k
 We also know that our x coordinate is h, and our y
coordinate is k; so our vertex is (h,k)
 From the equation we notice that h=-5 and k=-3

 So our vertex is at (-5,-3)

EXAMPLES OF QUADRATICS
 Graph f(x)=(x-2)2 + 3
 Looking at the equation we find that our vertex is at (2,3)
 We also know the graph of the parent function f(x)=x 2
 So using this knowledge we can shift the vertex of the parent
function 2 to the right, and 3 up
EXAMPLE OF PROJECTILE MOTION
FUNCTION
 A baseball player hits the ball with an initial velocity of
100 fps. The ball meets the bat a the height of 3 feet. The
baseball’s path is represented by the function;
f(x)=-0.0032x2+x+3
f(x) is the height of the baseball in feet and x is the
distance from the initial contact point of the bat and ball
in feet.
SOLUTION
 Since the function has a maximum at x=-b/2a, you can
conclude that the baseball reaches its maximum height
when the ball is x feet away from the initial point.
 X=-1/2(-0.0032)
 X=156.25 feet
 Now to find the height at when x=156.25, you plug x
back into your original function.
 f(156.25)=-0.0032(156.25)2+156.25+3
 f(156.25)=81.125 feet
WORKS CITED
Hosteler, Robert P. Larson, Ron. Precalculus Sixth Edition.
Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. 2004. Print.