Section 2.

Polynomial
Functions
of Higher Degree
Definition of Polynomial Functions
Let n be a non-negative integer and let
a n , a n 1 , ............., a 2 , a1 , a 0

be real numbers with an  0

The function given by:

f x   an x  an 1 x
n n 1 2
 .........  a2 x  a1 x  a0
is called a polynomial function of x with degree n.
Example:
f x   x 5  7 x  9 x 2 f x   x 6  x 3  17 x  10
 Properties of Polynomial Functions

(1) All Polynomial functions are

smooth and continuous.

• “NO Sharp corners”

• “NO Holes”
• “NO Breaks or Jumps”
• “NO cusps”
Properties of Polynomial Functions
(2) To know the right-hand and left-hand
behavior of the graphs,
Use “ Leading Coefficient test”
where n “degree” of the polynomial,
and a n “leading coefficient”

n is Even n is Odd
Up to left & Up to right Down to left & Up to right
an  0
Try x 2 Try x 3
Down to left & Down to right Up to left & Down to right
an  0
Try - x 2 Try - x 3
 Example (2.2a)
Describe the right-hand and left-hand
behavior of the graphs of the polynomial
functions:

(A) f x   15 x  2 x  9 x  x  33
2 5 8

(B) g x   1  x  2 x  x  7 x
2 7 4
 Example (2.2a): Solution
Needed right-hand and left-hand behavior:

(A) f x   15 x 2  2 x 5  9 x 8  x  33
Since the polynomial function has:
EVEN degree “8” and Positive Leading Coefficient “+9”:
Then: it is Up to the left & Up to the right.

(B) g x   1  x 2  2 x 7  x 4  7 x
Since the polynomial function has:
ODD degree “7” and Negative Leading Coefficient “-2”:
Then: it is Up to the left & Down to the left.
 Example (2.2b)

Find the zeros of the

following polynomial functions:

(I) f x   x  2x  3

(II) f x   x  x  20 x
3 2

(III) f x   x  4
2
 Example (2.2b): Solution
Zeros are:

(I) f x   x  2 x  3 Let f x   0

 x  2 x  3  0  x  2 or x  3

(II) f x   x 3  x 2  20 x Let f x   0
 x 3  x 2  20 x  0  xx 2  x  20  0
 xx  4 x  5  0  x  0 or x  4 or x  5

(III) f x   x 2  4 Let f x   0  x 2  4  0
 Not Real Zeros, They are Complex Zeros.
Real Zeros of Polynomial Functions

If f is a polynomial function and a is a real number,

the following statements are equivalent:

x  a is a real zero of the function f.

x  a is a solution of the polynomial equation
x  a  is a factor of the polynomial .
a , 0 is an x-intercept of the graph of f.
 Example (2.2c)
Given the polynomial function:

f x   x  8 x  15 x
3 2

(a) Is x = 3 a zero of the given function?

(b) Is (x - 3) is a factor of the function f ?

 Example (2.2c): Solution

Polynomial function: f x   x  8 x  15 x
3 2

(a) Is x = 3 a zero of the given function?

Check f 3  3  83  153  0

3 2

 Yes, 3 is a zero of the given function

(b) Is (x - 3) is a factor of the function f ?

Since 3 is a zero of the function

 Yes, x  3 is a factor of f
 px   x  1x  1
2
Repeated Zeros

A factor x  a k , k  1
yields a repeated zero
x  a of multiplicity k
(a) If is odd, the graph crosses
k
the x-axis at
xa
(b) If is even, the graph touches
k the x-axis at
xa
(but does not cross the x-axis, “Tangent”)
 Example (2.2d)

Determine where the polynomial function

px   x  3x  2  x  6 
2 5

will cross the x-axis, and where

it is tangent to x-axis.
 Example (2.2d): Solution

Polynomial function:     2

p x  x3 x2 x6 5

It will cross the x-axis at:

x  3 and x  6 since power k is odd

It is tangent to x-axis.

x  2 since power k is even

 Example (2.2e)

List all the zeros of

2

px   x  1x  7  x  9 2

4

and their multiplicities.

 Example (2.2e): Solution

2

Given: p x   x  1x  7  x  9
2

4

Make a table to list the zeros and multiplicities.

Zeros Multiplicity
1 1
-7 2
3 4
-3 4