POLYNOMIAL

FUNCTIONS
ACTIVITY # 1
Which is
which?
Tell whether the given examples
are polynomials or non-
polynomials.
1. 2x3 - 3x2 – 4x 2. 2x2/3 + x2 – 4
3. 2x + 2 4. 6 √x - 3x
5. 3x - x - 2
2 -3
6. 5x – 4
5

7. 1/x + 2x 8. 2x
Remember integers are … –2, -1, 0, 1, 2 … (no decimals
or fractions) so positive integers would be 0, 1, 2 …

A polynomial function is a function of the

form: n must be a positive integer

f x   an x  an 1 x
n n 1
   a1 x  ao

All of these coefficients are real

numbers
The degree of the polynomial is the
largest power on any x term in the
polynomial.
 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.
P(x)=2x - 3x + 4x - 8
3 2

P(x)=9 + x - 4x
2 4

In standard form,
P(x)= - 4x + x + 9
4 2
P(x)= -5x + x - x + 1
2 5 4

In standard form,
P(x)= x – x - 5x + 1
5 4 2
 Other than P(x), a
polynomial function may
also be denoted by f(x).
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.
f(x)= (x + 3)(x – 1)(x + 2)
Degree: 3
f(x)= (x + 1)(x + 2x + 2)
2

Degree: 3
 ACTIVITY # 2:
Write the following
polynomial functions in
standard form. Identify
the degree, leading
coefficient and
constant term of the
1. P(x) = 2x - 3x + 4x - 8
4 2 6

2. f(x) = x - x + 4x + 1 - x
4 5 3

3. P(x) = x(x + 5)
4. P(x) = (3x + 1)(x + 4)
5. P(x) = (x + 1)(x – 1)(x+2)