ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10

HIGH SCHOOL

Module 2: ALGEBRA

Teachers: Mr. Tyrone Marcial Lopez

Ms. Maricar Baquiran
Level: Grade 10
Allotted Time: 24 hour

OVERVIEW

This module will teach you how to conduct systematematically a mathematical investigation
involving polynomial function in different fields. Go over the lessons and have fun in working with
the exercises.

OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this module, you should be able to:
1. perform division of polynomial using long division
2. perform division of polynomial using synthetic division
3. prove the Remainder Theorem and Factor Theorem
4. prove Rational Root Theorem
5. factor polynomial
6. illustrate polynomial equation
7. solve polynomial equation
8. solve problems involving polynomials and polynomial equations
9. illustrate polynomial functions
10. graph polynomial functions
11. solve problems involving polynomial functions

1|MODULE 2: ALGEBRA
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

LEARNING FOCUS
LESSON 2.1
Long Division

Definition:
A polynomial expression P(x) is an expression of the form
a n x n +a(n−1) x (n −1) + a(n−2) x(n−2) +…+ a1 x +a o
where a 0 ≠ 0, n ∈W and coefficients a 0 , 〖 a 〗(0) , … , an ∈ R.

Example:
Polynomial Expression Non-polynomial Expression
2x +1 3√ x
4
x /2+ 1 (1 /2)
2 x −6 x +2
2 x2 +6 x +4 2/ x+ 1

Note:
A polynomial expression is written in standard form if the terms are arranged in decreasing
powers of the variable. 3 x 3+ 2 x 2−10 is written in standard form while 2 x2 −10+3 x3 is not.

Example:
( 17 x−16 x 2 +6 x3 −6 ) ÷ ( 2 x 2 + x−1 )
Write the dividend and the divisor in standard form. Insert zeroes as coefficient of any missing
term(s). Both dividend and divisor should be in standard form.
2 x2 −4 x +3 ←Quotient
´
Divisor → ( 3 x−2 ) ⟌ ( 6 x3 −16 x2 +17 x−6 ) ← Dividend
6 x 3−4 x 2 Subtract
−12 x2 +17 x Subtract
−12 x2 +8 x
9 x−6 Subtract
9 x−6
0
6 x3 −16 x2 +17 x−6 2
← Remainder
Hence, =2 x −4 x+ 3
3 x −2

2|MODULE 2: ALGEBRA
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/40____

ACTIVITY 2.1
Long Division

A. Write P if the expression is polynomial and NP if it is not.

_______ 1. 5 x 2+7 x +1 _______ 6. 10 √ x +1
_______ 2. 3 x−2+ x−1 _______ 7. √ 3 x−1
1
_______ 3. −7 x 4 +5 x 6+ 1 _______ 8. 7 x 3 + 2 x−7
x
_______ 4. −2 _______ 9. 9 x 10−8 x 12+1
x+1
7 x−1 3 x _______ 10. ( x−1)−3
_______ 5. −
6 2
B. Divide the following polynomials using long division.
11-15. ( x 2−4 x+5) ÷(x−1) 26-30. ( 2 x 4 +2 x2 +5 x 3+ 10+5 x ) ÷ ( x+ 2 )

16-20. ( x ¿ ¿ 3+2 x2−5 x−6)÷( x +3)¿ 31-35. ( 3 x 3−5 x 2+ 6 x −9 ) ÷ (3 x−2 )

21-25. ( 2 x 4 +3 x 2−1 ) ÷ ( x−1 ) 36-40. (2 x 4 +5 x3 + 4 x 2−6 x−3)÷ (2 x−1)

3|MODULE 2: ALGEBRA
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON 2.2
Synthetic Division
Definition:
1. Divide P ( x ) =( 11 x 2+ 4 x 3+ 8 ) by ( x +3)

Step 1. Arrange the coefficients of P(x) in

4 11 0 8
descending powers of x, placing 0s for the
missing terms. The leading coefficient of P(x)
4
becomes the first entry of the third row.

Step 2. Place the value of r in the upper left -3 4 11 0 8

corner. In this example,
x−r =x+ 3=x−(−3 ) so r =−3 4
Step 3. The first number in the second row (-
12) is the product of r(-3) and the number in -3 4 11 0 8
the third row (4) of the preceding column. The -12
second number in the third row (-1) is the sum 4 -1
of the two numbers (11 and -12) above it.
Step 4. Repeat the procedure described in Step -3 4 11 0 8
3 until the last number in the third row is -12 3 -9
obtained. 4 -1 3 -1
Step 5. Write the quotient Q(x). Note that the
degree of Q(x) is one less the degree of P(x).
The entries in the third row give the Q ( x ) =4 x 2−x +3 , R=−1
coefficients of Q(x) and the remainder R.

2. Using synthetic division to find the quotient of ( 4 x 4−2 x 3−10 x 2+7 x +8)÷(2 x +3).

Observe that the divisor is not of the form ( x−r ) . However, note that 2 x+3=2 x + ( 32 ).
Therefore, the problem can be restated as:

( 32 )
( 4 x 4−2 x 3−10 x 2+7 x +8)÷2 x+

3
Use synthetic division to divide ( 4 x −2 x −10 x +7 x +8) by 2 ( x + )
4 3 2
2
−3 4 -2 10 -7 8
2
-6 12 -3 15
4 -8 2 -10 23
23
4 x 3−8 x 2+ 2 x−10+
Then, divide
( x+
2 )
3 by 2.

Thus, the quotient is 2 x3 −4 x 2 + x−5 and the remainder is 23.

4|MODULE 2: ALGEBRA
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/40____

ACTIVITY 2.2
Synthetic Division

A. Divide the following polynomial expressions using synthetic division.

1. ( x 3 +3 x2 +3 x +1) ÷(x +1) 4. ( 2 x 4 + x 3+ 2 x−x 2−1 ) ÷ ( 2 x −1 )
2. (3 x 4 + x 3 +2)÷( x−2) 5. ( 6 x 5−4 x 4−3 x +2 ) ÷ ( 3 x−2 )
3. ( 2 x 5−5 x2 +3 ) ÷ ( x−1 ) 6. ( 8 x 4 +2 x 2−4 x+1 ) ÷ ( 4 x +1 )

B. Identifying the divisor, dividend, and quotient in each item below. Use variable x.
1. −1 5 1 2 3 -1 Divisor: __________________
-5 4 -6 3 Dividend: __________________
5 -4 6 -3 2 Quotient: __________________
Remainder __________________

2. 2 1 0 0 0 1 Divisor: __________________
2 4 8 16 Dividend: __________________
1 2 4 8 17 Quotient: __________________
Remainder __________________

3. 1 -3 -4 2 5 Divisor: __________________
-3 -7 -5 Dividend: __________________
-3 -7 -5 0 Quotient: __________________
Remainder __________________

4. 1 1 1 -1 1 -1 Divisor: __________________
1 2 1 2 Dividend: __________________
1 2 1 2 1 Quotient: __________________
Remainder __________________

5. −5 1 5 2 10 11 Divisor: __________________
-5 0 -10 0 Dividend: __________________
1 0 2 0 11 Quotient: __________________
Remainder __________________

6. 6 3 -7 -3 10 3 -6 Divisor: __________________
6 -2 -10 0 6 Dividend: __________________
3 -1 -5 0 3 0 Quotient: __________________
Remainder __________________

5|MODULE 2: ALGEBRA
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

6|MODULE 2: ALGEBRA
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON 2.3
Remainder and Factor Theorem
Definition:
If the polynomial P( x ) is divided by ( x−4), then the remainder R is a constant and is
equal to P( x ).
R=P (r )
Example:
Find the remainder when (3 x 4−6 x 2 +2) is divided by x +1.
Using the Remainder Theorem:
P ( x ) =3 x 4−6 x 2 +2 ,r =−1
4 2
P (−1 )=3 (−1 ) −6 (−1 ) + 2
¿ 3(1)−6 (1)+2
¿ 3−6+2
¿−1
Therefore, the remainder when P ( x ) =3 x 4−6 x 2 +2 is divided by x +1 is −1.

Definition:
Polynomial P( x ) has x−r as its factor if and only if P(r )=0 .

Example:
Show that x−2 is a factor of 4 x3 −6 x+1 .
Using the Factor Theorem, we have
P ( 2 )=4 (2)3−6 ( 2 ) +1
¿ 4 (8)−12+1
¿ 24−12+1
P ( 2 )=21
Since P ( 2 ) ≠ 0, then x−2 is not a factor of 4 x3 −6 x+1 .

7|MODULE 2: ALGEBRA
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/50____

ACTIVITY 2.3
Remainder Theorem

A. Use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder R in each of the following.
_________ 1-2. ( x 2 +3 x−5 ) ÷ ( x−2 )

_________ 3-4. ( x 3−4 x 2+ 2 x−5 ) ÷ ( x−3 )

_________ 5-6. ( 3 x 2−5 x+ 6 ) ÷ ( x +3 )

_________ 7-8. ( 4 x 5−x 4−1 ) ÷ ( x+ 2 )

_________ 9-10. ( 5 x 20+7 x 10 −8 x 8 +7 x 6 ) ÷ ( x +1 )

_________11-12. ( x 100 + x 75−x 50 −2 x25 ¿ ÷( x−1)

B. Use the Factor Theorem to determine whether or not the first polynomial is a factor of the
second.

13-14. x +2; x 3−3 x 2−4 x+12 19-120. x−2; 2 x3 −3 x2 + x−1

15-16. x +1; x 3−4 x 2+3 x +9 21-22. 2 x−1; 2 x2 −3 x +1

17-18. x−1; x 10−x 5+ 2 x−2 23-24. 2 x+3 ; 8 x 3−4 x 2+2 x−5

8|MODULE 2: ALGEBRA
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

C. Find the value of k when P(x) is divided by (x-r) and the remainder (R) is equal to the given.
P( x ) x−r R k
2
25-28. x + 3 x −k x−4 0
29-31. 3 x 3−2 x2 +kx x +1 0
32-34. 5 x 3+(k +1) x2−2 x−2 0
35-37. x 2+ ( k +1 ) x−3 x +3 -6
38-40. 2 x2 −kx +3 x−2 9
41-43. x 4 −x3 −kx 2+ 2 k x−1 5
44-46. 9 x 2−3 x+(k + 1) 3 x−1 0
47-50. 8 x 3+ kx 2−5 2 x+1 -4

9|MODULE 2: ALGEBRA
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON 2.4
Rational Root Theorem
Definition:
n n−1
Let a n x +an−1 x + an−2 x n−2 +…+a 2 x 2+ a1 x + a0, a n ≠ 0, and a 1 an integer for all i, 0 ≤ i≤ n, be
L
a polynomial equation of degree n . If , in lowest terms, is a rational root of the equation, then
F
L is a factor of a 0 and F is a factor of a n.

Example:
List all the possible rational roots of the polynomial equation f ( x )=2 x 3+ 7 x2 −4 x +6.
First, find all the factors of a 0
a 0=6 :
L → ±1, ±2, ±3, ±6
Next, find all the factors of a n
a n=2
F → ±1, ±2
Then, find all values of L/F in lowest terms
L 1 3
:± 1 ,± , ±2 , ±3 , ± , ±6
F 2 2
1 3
The possible rational roots of f (x) are ± 1, ± ,± 2 ,± 3 , ± ,± 6.
2 2

10 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/30____

ACTIVITY 2.4
Rational Root Theorem

Using the Rational Root Theorem, find all the possible roots of the following polynomial equations

1-5. f ( x )=x 3 +2 x2 −x+ 4 ____________________________________________________________

6-10. f ( x )=x 4 −7 x 3+ x2−3 x−3 ____________________________________________________________

11-15. f ( x )=x 6 +5 x 3−2 x2 −1 ____________________________________________________________

16-20. f ( x )=3 x 3 +5 x2 −x+6 ____________________________________________________________

21-25. f ( x )=4 x 4 −3 x 3−2 x 2 +1 ____________________________________________________________

26-30. f ( x )=5 x 5 +3 x2 +10 ____________________________________________________________

11 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON 2.5
Solving Polynomial Equations in Factored Form
If P(x) is a polynomial equation of degree n and with real coefficients, then it has at most n
real roots.

Examples:
Polynomial Equation Degree Numbers of Roots
1. x−1=0 1 1
2. ( x +2 )( x−3 )=0 2 2
3. ( x +4 )( x−1 )2 =0 3 3
2 9 9
4. x 5 ( x 2−7 ) =0

Determine the real root/s of each equation.

1. x−2=0 3. ( x +1 )( x−3 )=0
x=2 x +1=0 x−3=0
Real roots: {2} x=−1 x=3
Real roots: {-1, 3}
2. x ( x−4 )=0
x=0 x−4=0 4. ( x 2−4 ) ( x−1 )=0
x=4 ( x−2 ) ( x+2 )( x−1 )=0
Real roots: {0, 4} x−2=0 x +2=0 x−1=0
x=2 x=−2 x=1
Real roots: {-2, 1, 2}

5. ( x 2−3 x−4 ) ( x 2−2 x−3 ) =0

( x−4 ) ( x+1 )( x−3 ) ( x+ 1 )=0
x−4=0 x +1=0 x−3=0 x +1=0
x=4 x=−1 x=3 x=−1
Real roots: -1 of multiplicity of 2; 3; 4

6. ( x 2−4 x+ 4 )( x 2−6 x +9 )=0

( x−2 )2 ( x−3 )2=0
x−2=0 x−3=0
x=2 x=3
Real roots: 2 of multiplicity of 2; 3 of multiplicity of 2

12 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/50____

ACTIVITY 2.5
Solving Polynomial Equation in Factored Form

A. Complete the table below.

Polynomial Degree Number of Roots
1. x−5=0
2. ( x−3 )2 ( x+1 )=0
3. ( x−1)3 (x+ 1)2=0
4 2
4. x ( x−5 ) ( x −1 )=0
5. ( x 2 +1 )( x3 +1 ) =0
4
6. x 2 ( x 2−1 ) ( x +2 ) =0
2
7. ( x 2 +4 ) ( x−1 )( x−3 )2 =0
8. x 4 −x3 −x2 +1=0
9. 4 x5 +2 x 3+ x=0
10 3 x 6+ 2 x 5−3 x 4 −2 x 3 + x 2+ x −1=0
.

B. Determine the real root/s of each equation. State the multiplicity, if there is.

11-15. x−7=0

16-20. ( x +7 ) ( x−1 )=0

21-25. ( x−6 )( x−5 )( x +1 )=0

26-30. ( x +2 )2 ( x−3 )( x−1 )=0

13 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

31-35. ( x +5)3 (x−2)2 =0

36-40. x ( 2 x−1 ) ( 3 x +6 )( 5 x+ 10 )=0

41-45. (2 x−6)2 ( x+ 1)4 ( x−1)3 (2 x−5)2=0

46-50. ( x 2−7 x−8 )( x2 +5 x+ 4 )=0

14 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON 2.6
Solving Polynomial Equations in Standard Form

A. Find the roots of the polynomial equation x 4 +9 x 3 +22 x 2−32=0

Solution:
List all possible rational roots by applying Rational Root Theorem.

factors or 32: ±1, ±2, ±4, ±8, ±16, ±32

factors of 1: ±1
possible rational roots: ±1, ±2, ±4, ±8, ±16, ±32

By using synthetic division, try x=1

1 1 9 22 0 -32
1 10 32 32
1 10 32 32 0

Since the last entry of the third row is zero, it suggests that 1 is a root of the given equation.
Now use the third as the first row entries in the next process of synthetic division.
−4 1 10 32 32
-4 -24 -32
1 6 8 0

-4 is another root of the equation.

The entries of the third row gives x 2+ 6 x+ 8=0 . We can solve the remaining roots of the
equation this way;

x 2+ 6 x+ 8=0
( x +4 )( x +2 )=0
x=−4 ; x=−2

Hence, the roots of the equation are 1, -2; -4 of multiplicity of 2.

B. Write a polynomial equation with integer coefficients whose roots are -1, 2, -3.
Solution:
The given roots are -1, 2, -3. From these roots, we can write the polynomial equation as
( x +1 )( x−2 ) ( x+ 3 )=0
Multiplying the 3 factors of the equation, we get the polynomial equation
x 3+ x2 −8 x−6=0

15 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/40____

ACTIVITY 2.6
Solving Polynomial Equation in Standard Dorm

A. Find the real roots of the following equations:

1-2. x 3−4 x 2+ x +6=0

3-4. x 3+ x2 −4 x−4=0

5-6. 2 x3 −5 x 2−4 x +3=0

7-8. x 4 −5 x 2 +4=0

9-10. 2 x5 −4 x 3 +2 x=0

B. Write a polynomial equation with integer coefficients given the following roots.

11-15. 1, -4, 2 26-30. 2/3, 1, -1

16-20. 3, -3, 2 31-35. 0, 1, 2, 3

21-25. 5, 2, 1 36-40. 1, -2, 2, 0

16 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON 2.7
Word Problems Involving Polynomial Equation

Example:
A water tank is to be made like the one below:

What radius should be used so that the volume is 1152 π ft 3?

Solution:
Splitiing the figure of the tank into two, we have 1 cylincer and 2 hemisphere (equal to 1
sphere). Thus,

Total volume = Volume of cylinder + Volume of sphere

Given that the volume of the tank is 1152 π ft 3, therefore

4
1152 π=24 π r 2 + π r 3 Multiplying the equation by 1/π
3
4
1152=24 r 2 + r 3 Multiplying by 3
3
3456=72r + 4 r 3
2
Multiplying by ¼
864=r 3 +18 r 2 Appyl Addition Property of Equality to set right side to 0.
r 3 +18 r 2−864=0.
Solve the zeroes: The zeroes are 6 and -12 of multiplicity of 2.
Accept 6 and reject -12 since there is no negative dimension.
Therefore, the radius of the thank is 6 ft .

17 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/30____

ACTIVITY 2.7
Word Problems Involving Polynomial Equations

Solve the problems cmpletely.

1-5. A box with an open top is to be made from a piece of a square cardboard with an area of
144 square inches. Express the volume of the box as a polynomial.

6-15. A rectangular swimming pool with dimensions of 11 m and 8 m is built in a rectangular

backyard. The area of the backyard is 112 m2. If the strip of yard surrounding the pool
is of uniform width, how wide is the strip?

11-15. A cylinder has a volume of 64π cm 3. The radius is half as long as its height. What is the
radius of the cylinder?

16-20. The volume of a rectangular water tank is 30 ft 3. The length of the tank is one foot more
than the width and the height is twice as the width. Find the dimensions of the water
tank.

21-25. A rectangular storage unit has dimensions 2 by 3 by 4 ft. If each dimension is increased
by the same amount, how much should this amount be to create a new storage unit
with volume five times the old?

26-30. A grain silo is formed by attaching a hemisphere to the top if a right circuar cylinder. If
the cylinder is 18 ft high and the volume of the silo is 792π cubic feet, find the common
radius of the cylinder and the hemisphere.

18 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON 2.8
Polynomial Functions

A polynomial function is a function of the form

n n−1 n−2
P ( x ) =an x + an−1 x +a n−2 x + …+a1 x+ a0 , an ≠ 0 . Where n is a nonnegative integer,
a 0 , a1 , … , an are real numbers called coefficients, a n x n is the leading term, a n is the leading
coefficient, and a 0 is the constant term.

Examples:
A. The table below provides examples of polynomial and non-polynomial functions.
POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION NON-POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION
f ( x )=15 x f ( x )= √ x +3 x−2
f ( x )=2 x 3−4 x+5 f ( x )=x −4 +6 x+ 5
x4 5
f ( x )= −6 x +5 f ( x )= 3 −7 x2 +2 x+ 4
3 x
f ( x )=3 x 3 + √ 5 x −7 f ( x )=x 3 /2−7 x 3 +2

B. The table below shows important details regarding polynomial functions.

Polynomial Function in Leading Constant
Polynomial Function Degree
Standard Form Coefficient Term
3 3
1. f ( x )=3−11 x+ 4 x f ( x )=4 x −11 x +3 3 4 3
3 2 5 3
2. g ( x )=x (x + 4) f ( x )=x + 4 x 4 1 0
2 4 3
3. h ( x )=x ( x +2 ) ( x−1) f ( x )=x + 3 x −4 x 4 1 0

C. Factor each polynomail completely.

1. f ( x )=(x+ 2)(x 2−2 x−8)
¿( x +2)(x−4)(x+ 2)

2. f ( x )=(x 2+5 x +6)(x 2−3 x+ 2)

¿( x +3)(x +2)(x −2)(x−1)

19 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/50____

ACTIVITY 2.8
Polynomial Functions

A. Identify whether the function is a polynomial or not. Write P if it is. Otherwise, write N.
_____ 1. f ( x )=−2 x 2 6
_____ 6. f ( x )=
x
4
_____ 2. f ( x )=5 x +3 x−10 −x +2
_____ 7. f ( x )=
x +1
_____ 3. f ( x )=−3 x −2 +7 x 2
_____ 8. f ( x )=
√ x+1
_____ 4. f ( x )=10 x +72 3
2 3 2
_____ 5. f ( x )=− √ 5 x +3 _____ 9. f ( x )= x −2 x −1
3
_____ 10. f ( x )=10

B. Write f (x) in standard form. Identify the degree, leading coefficient and constant term.
Polynomial Function Leading Constant
Polynomial Function Degree
in Standard Form Coefficient Term
4 2 5
f ( x )=6 x −5 x −10+ x−4 x 11. 12. 13. 14.
2 3 15. 16. 17. 18.
f ( x )=16 x +17 x+ 6 x −5
f ( x )=( x−2)(x−1) 19. 20. 21. 22.
2
f ( x )=x (x +1) 23. 24. 25. 26.
f ( x )=3 x (x +2)( x−3) 27. 28. 29. 30.

C. Factor out f (x) completely.

31-35. f ( x )=x 2−5 x−14

36- 40. f ( x )=2 x 2−x−6

41-45. f ( x )=( x2−16 ) ( x 2+3 x +2 )

46-50. f ( x )=(x 2−8 x−9)(x 2 +7 x+10)

20 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON 2.9
Intercepts of Polynomial Functions

Example:
1. y=x ( x−1 )2 ( x +1 ) ( x −3 ) ( x +5 )
 To find the x-intercepts, equate each factor to 0 and solve.
x=0 or x−1=0 or x +1=0 or x−3=0 or x +5=0
x=1 x=−1 x=3 x=−5
The x-intercepts are -5, -1, 0, 1, and 3.

 To find the y-intercepts, set x to 0 and simplify.

y=0 ( 0−1 )2 ( 0+1 )( 0−3 ) ( 0+5 )
2
y=0 (−1 ) ( 1 )(−3 )( 5 )
y=0
The y-intercept is 0.

2. y=x 3 +3 x 2−4 x−12

 Express y in factored form
y= ( x −2 ) (x+3)(x +2)
 Repeat steps as in Example 1
x-intercepts: x−2=0 or x +3=0 or x +2=0
x=2 x=−3 x=−2
The x-intercepts are -3, -2, 2

y-intercepts: y=03 +3(0)2−4(0)−12

¿ 0+0−0−12
¿−12
The y-intercept is -12.

21 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/40____

ACTIVITY 2.9
Intercepts of Polynomial Functions

A. Find the intercepts of the following functions.

1-5. y=(x +3)( x−4)(x −1)(x +5)

6-10. y= ( x −2 )2 ( x−7 )3 ( x+ 1 )2(x −6)

11-15. y=(2 x−3)(5 x −1)(1−x)

16-20. y=x 2 (3−x)3 (2 x+5)2

B. Express each function in factored form. Then, find its intercepts.

21-25. y=x 3 + 4 x 2−7 x−10

26-30. y=x 3−x 2−10 x−8

31-35. y=x 4 + 2 x 3−3 x 2−8 x−4

36-40 y=x 4 + 6 x3 +5 x 2−24 x−36

22 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON 2.10
Graphing Polynomial Functions

To graph polynomial functions, it is necessary to first construct a table of signs for. This
table will help you determine the behavior of the graph of the function.

Example:
A. Sketch the graph of the function y=(x−1)( x+ 2)( x−3)( x +4 ).
1. Determine the x-intercept(s) of the graph.
Thus, the x-intercepts of the function are -4, -2, 1 and 3.
2. Construct the table of signs.
Interval (-∞, -4) (-4,-2) (-2, 1) (1, 3) (3, +∞)
Test Values -5 -3 0 2 4
x−1 - - - + +
x +2 - - + + +
x−3 - - - - +
x +4 - + + + +
y=(x−1)( x+ 2)( x−3)( x +4 ) + - + - +
Position of the curve relative to above below above below above
the x-axis
3. Determine the y-intercept.
f (x)=( x−1)(x+ 2)( x−3)(x + 4)
f (0)=(0−1)(0+2)(0−3)(0+ 4)
f (0)=(−1)(2)(−3)(4)
f ( 0 )=24
4. Sketch the graph of the function.
a. Plot the intercepts
b. Connect the intercepts with a smooth curve while considering the behavior
of the graph based from the result of the table of signs.

B. Sketch the graph of y=(x +2)3 ( x−1)2.

1. x-intercept: -2, 1
2. Table of signs
Interval (-∞, -2) (-2,1) (1, +∞)
Test Values -3 0 2
( x−2)3 - + +
( x−1)2 + + +
y=(x +2)3 ( x−1)2 - + +
Position of the curve relative to below above above

23 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

the x-axis

3. y-intercept = 8
4. Sketch the graph of y=(x +2)3 ( x−1)2 .

Note:

 If the zero has an even multiplicity, then the graph is tangent to the x-axis.
 If the zero has an odd multiplicity, the graph crosses the x-axis.
 The higher the multiplicity, the more flattened is the graph.

24 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/30____

ACTIVITY 2.10
Graphing Polynomial Functions

Find the intercepts and make a table of signs for the following functions. After which, sketch
the graph of the function.

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

6-10. y= ( x +1 )2 ( x −3 ) ( x−5 )

11-15. y=x 2 ( x+2 )3 ( x−3 )2 ( x−4)

16-20. y=x 3 + 4 x 2−7 x−10

21-25. y=x 3−2 x 2−8 x

26-30. y=x 4 + 2 x 3−3 x 2−8 x−4

A.

25 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON 2.11
Behavior of the Graph Polynomial Functions

Leading Coefficient Test

Leading End Behavior of the Graph
Degree Possible Graph
Coefficient Left-end Right-end

>0 Even Rising Rising

>0 Odd Falling Rising

<0 Even Rising Falling

<0 Odd Falling Falling

Turning Points
The Turning Points of the graph occur when the function changes from decreasing to
increasing or from increasing to decreasing value. The number of turning points is at most (n-1).

26 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/50____

ACTIVITY 2.11
Behavior of the Graph Polynomial Functions

Complete the table below.

Leading End Behavior of the Possible
Coefficient Degree Graph Graph
Left-end Right-end
f ( x )=−2 x 3 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

f ( x )=−3 x 3−9 x 2−3 x +9 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

f ( x )=x 3 +8 x 2+ 19 x +12 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

f ( x )=x 2 +8 x+ 15 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

f ( x )=−x 4+ 2 x 3 +13 x2 −14 x−24 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

f ( x )=( x−1 )( x +1 )( x−2 )(x +2) 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

f ( x )=x (x−3)(x−5)(x +2) 31. 32. 33. 34. 35.

f ( x )=(2−x )( x+ 3)( x + 4)( x−3) 36. 37. 38. 39. 40

f ( x )=(x−6)3 (x +2)2 41. 42. 43. 44. 45.

f ( x )=−3(x−1)2( x +3)2 ( x−2)2 ( x+1)4 46. 47. 48. 49. 50.

27 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A
ALDERSGATE COLLEGE MATH 10
HIGH SCHOOL

NAME: _________________________________________ DATE: __________________

SECTION: ______________________________________ SCORE: ________/40____

ACTIVITY 2.3
Word Problems Involving Polynomial Functions

Solve the following problems completely. (5pts each)

1. A rectangular box is (2 x+1) inches wide, ( x +7) inches long and x−2 ¿ inches high.
a. Express the volume of the box as a function of x .
b. What is the volume of the box when x=4?

2. The savings (S) of SEM Corporation for a certain period can be approximated by the model
S ( t ) =t 3 −t 2 −10t−8, where t represents the number of years and S(t ) in million pesos.
Based on this model,
a. how much will be the saving after 5 years?
b. after how many years will the savings be equal to 112 million pesos?

3. The population of a certain strain of bacteria is represented by the function

g ( x )=t 4 +6 t 3−t 2−6 t , where t is in hours.
a. How many bacteria will there be after 3 hours?
b. How many hours will be the population of the bacteria become 2520?

4. You want to construct a rectangular garbage box. You want the length to be six times the
height and the width to be three times the height. The sides should be one-foot thick.
a. What function V (h) expresses the space inside of the box?
b. What should be the outer dimension of the box if it is to hold 4 cubic feet of garbage?

28 | M O D U L E 2 : A L G E B R A