<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Given the polynomial function f ( x ) = 2 x 3 6 x 2 20 x , determine the y - and x - intercepts.

y -intercept ( 0 , 0 ) ; x -intercepts ( 0 , 0 ) , ( 2 , 0 ) , and ( 5 , 0 )

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Comparing smooth and continuous graphs

The degree of a polynomial function helps us to determine the number of x - intercepts and the number of turning points. A polynomial function of n th degree is the product of n factors, so it will have at most n roots or zeros, or x - intercepts. The graph of the polynomial function of degree n must have at most n 1 turning points. This means the graph has at most one fewer turning point than the degree of the polynomial or one fewer than the number of factors.

A continuous function    has no breaks in its graph: the graph can be drawn without lifting the pen from the paper. A smooth curve    is a graph that has no sharp corners. The turning points of a smooth graph must always occur at rounded curves. The graphs of polynomial functions are both continuous and smooth.

Intercepts and turning points of polynomials

A polynomial of degree n will have, at most, n x -intercepts and n 1 turning points.

Determining the number of intercepts and turning points of a polynomial

Without graphing the function, determine the local behavior of the function by finding the maximum number of x - intercepts and turning points for f ( x ) = 3 x 10 + 4 x 7 x 4 + 2 x 3 .

The polynomial has a degree of 10 , so there are at most n x -intercepts and at most n 1 turning points.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Without graphing the function, determine the maximum number of x - intercepts and turning points for f ( x ) = 108 13 x 9 8 x 4 + 14 x 12 + 2 x 3

There are at most 12 x - intercepts and at most 11 turning points.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Drawing conclusions about a polynomial function from the graph

What can we conclude about the polynomial represented by the graph shown in [link] based on its intercepts and turning points?

Graph of an even-degree polynomial.

The end behavior of the graph tells us this is the graph of an even-degree polynomial. See [link] .

Graph of an even-degree polynomial that denotes the turning points and intercepts.

The graph has 2 x - intercepts, suggesting a degree of 2 or greater, and 3 turning points, suggesting a degree of 4 or greater. Based on this, it would be reasonable to conclude that the degree is even and at least 4.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

What can we conclude about the polynomial represented by the graph shown in [link] based on its intercepts and turning points?

Graph of an odd-degree polynomial.

The end behavior indicates an odd-degree polynomial function; there are 3 x - intercepts and 2 turning points, so the degree is odd and at least 3. Because of the end behavior, we know that the lead coefficient must be negative.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Drawing conclusions about a polynomial function from the factors

Given the function f ( x ) = 4 x ( x + 3 ) ( x 4 ) , determine the local behavior.

The y - intercept is found by evaluating f ( 0 ) .

f ( 0 ) = 4 ( 0 ) ( 0 + 3 ) ( 0 4 )         = 0

The y - intercept is ( 0 , 0 ) .

The x - intercepts are found by determining the zeros of the function.

0 = 4 x ( x + 3 ) ( x 4 ) x = 0 or x + 3 = 0 or x 4 = 0 x = 0 or        x = 3 or       x = 4

The x - intercepts are ( 0 , 0 ) , ( 3 , 0 ) , and ( 4 , 0 ) .

The degree is 3 so the graph has at most 2 turning points.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Given the function f ( x ) = 0.2 ( x 2 ) ( x + 1 ) ( x 5 ) , determine the local behavior.

The x - intercepts are ( 2 , 0 ) , ( 1 , 0 ) , and ( 5 , 0 ) , the y- intercept is ( 0 , 2 ) , and the graph has at most 2 turning points.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

what does preconceived mean
sammie Reply
physiological Psychology
Nwosu Reply
How can I develope my cognitive domain
Amanyire Reply
why is communication effective
Dakolo Reply
Communication is effective because it allows individuals to share ideas, thoughts, and information with others.
effective communication can lead to improved outcomes in various settings, including personal relationships, business environments, and educational settings. By communicating effectively, individuals can negotiate effectively, solve problems collaboratively, and work towards common goals.
it starts up serve and return practice/assessments.it helps find voice talking therapy also assessments through relaxed conversation.
miss
Every time someone flushes a toilet in the apartment building, the person begins to jumb back automatically after hearing the flush, before the water temperature changes. Identify the types of learning, if it is classical conditioning identify the NS, UCS, CS and CR. If it is operant conditioning, identify the type of consequence positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement or punishment
Wekolamo Reply
please i need answer
Wekolamo
because it helps many people around the world to understand how to interact with other people and understand them well, for example at work (job).
Manix Reply
Agreed 👍 There are many parts of our brains and behaviors, we really need to get to know. Blessings for everyone and happy Sunday!
ARC
A child is a member of community not society elucidate ?
JESSY Reply
Isn't practices worldwide, be it psychology, be it science. isn't much just a false belief of control over something the mind cannot truly comprehend?
Simon Reply
compare and contrast skinner's perspective on personality development on freud
namakula Reply
Skinner skipped the whole unconscious phenomenon and rather emphasized on classical conditioning
war
explain how nature and nurture affect the development and later the productivity of an individual.
Amesalu Reply
nature is an hereditary factor while nurture is an environmental factor which constitute an individual personality. so if an individual's parent has a deviant behavior and was also brought up in an deviant environment, observation of the behavior and the inborn trait we make the individual deviant.
Samuel
I am taking this course because I am hoping that I could somehow learn more about my chosen field of interest and due to the fact that being a PsyD really ignites my passion as an individual the more I hope to learn about developing and literally explore the complexity of my critical thinking skills
Zyryn Reply
good👍
Jonathan
and having a good philosophy of the world is like a sandwich and a peanut butter 👍
Jonathan
generally amnesi how long yrs memory loss
Kelu Reply
interpersonal relationships
Abdulfatai Reply
What would be the best educational aid(s) for gifted kids/savants?
Heidi Reply
treat them normal, if they want help then give them. that will make everyone happy
Saurabh
What are the treatment for autism?
Magret Reply
hello. autism is a umbrella term. autistic kids have different disorder overlapping. for example. a kid may show symptoms of ADHD and also learning disabilities. before treatment please make sure the kid doesn't have physical disabilities like hearing..vision..speech problem. sometimes these
Jharna
continue.. sometimes due to these physical problems..the diagnosis may be misdiagnosed. treatment for autism. well it depends on the severity. since autistic kids have problems in communicating and adopting to the environment.. it's best to expose the child in situations where the child
Jharna
child interact with other kids under doc supervision. play therapy. speech therapy. Engaging in different activities that activate most parts of the brain.. like drawing..painting. matching color board game. string and beads game. the more you interact with the child the more effective
Jharna
results you'll get.. please consult a therapist to know what suits best on your child. and last as a parent. I know sometimes it's overwhelming to guide a special kid. but trust the process and be strong and patient as a parent.
Jharna
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Precalculus. OpenStax CNX. Jan 19, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11667/1.6
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Precalculus' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask