Sullivan Algebra and Trigonometry: Section 5.1 Polynomial Functions Objectives Identify Polynomials and Their Degree Graph Polynomial Functions Using Transformations Identify the Zeros of a Polynomial and Their Multiplicity Analyze the Graph of a Polynomial Function

A polynomial function is a function of the form where a n, a n-1,…, a 1, a 0 are real numbers and n is a nonnegative integer. The domain consists of all real numbers. The degree of the polynomial is the largest power of x that appears.

Example: Determine which of the following are polynomials. For those that are, state the degree.

Graph the following function using transformations. (0,0) (1,1) (0,0) (1, -2)

(1,0) (2,-2) (1, 4) (2, 2)

Consider the polynomial: fxxx()()()  14 2 Solve the equation f (x) = 0 fxxx()()()  14 2 = 0 x + 1 = 0 OR x - 4 = 0 x = - 1 OR x = 4 If f is a polynomial function and r is a real number for which f (r) = 0, then r is called a (real) zero of f, or root of f. If r is a (real) zero of f, then a.) (r,0) is an x-intercept of the graph of f. b.) (x - r) is a factor of f.

If is a factor of a polynomial f and is not a factor of f, then r is called a zero of multiplicity m of f. Example: Find all real zeros of the following function and their multiplicity. x = 3 is a zero with multiplicity 2. x = - 7 is a zero with multiplicity 1. x = 1/2 is a zero with multiplicity 5.

If r is a Zero of Even Multiplicity Sign of f (x) does not change from one side to the other side of r. Graph touches x-axis at r. If r is a Zero of Odd Multiplicity Sign of f (x) changes from one side to the other side of r. Graph crosses x-axis at r.

Theorem: If f is a polynomial function of degree n, then f has at most n - 1 turning points. Theorem: For large values of x, either positive or negative, the graph of the polynomial resembles the graph of the power function

For the polynomial  fxxxx()  (a) Find the x- and y-intercepts of the graph of f. The x intercepts (zeros) are (-1, 0), (5,0), and (-4,0) To find the y - intercept, evaluate f(0) So, the y-intercept is (0,-20)

For the polynomial  fxxxx()  b.) Determine whether the graph crosses or touches the x-axis at each x-intercept. x = -4 is a zero of multiplicity 1 (crosses the x-axis) x = -1 is a zero of multiplicity 2 (touches the x-axis) x = 5 is a zero of multiplicity 1 (crosses the x-axis) c.) Find the power function that the graph of f resembles for large values of x.

d.) Determine the maximum number of turning points on the graph of f. At most 3 turning points. e.) Use the x-intercepts and test numbers to find the intervals on which the graph of f is above the x-axis and the intervals on which the graph is below the x-axis. On the interval Test number: x = -5 f (-5) = 160 Graph of f: Above x-axis Point on graph: (-5, 160) For the polynomial  fxxxx()  154 2

 fxxxx()  On the interval Test number: x = -2 f (-2) = -14 Graph of f: Below x-axis Point on graph: (-2, -14) On the interval Test number: x = 0 f (0) = -20 Graph of f: Below x-axis Point on graph: (0, -20)

For the polynomial  fxxxx()  On the interval Test number: x = 6 f (6) = 490 Graph of f: Above x-axis Point on graph: (6, 490) f.) Put all the information together, and connect the points with a smooth, continuous curve to obtain the graph of f.

(6, 490) (5, 0) (0, -20) (-1, 0) (-2, -14) (-4, 0) (-5, 160)