Polynomial Functions 1
Polynomial Functions 1
Definitions
Term: a number or a product of a number and variables raised
to a power.
3, 5x , 2 x, 9 x y
2 2
f x an x an 1 x
n n 1
a1 x ao
5x 4 x 5x
3 2
3 2 1 6 8 3 0
3 8
9 10 6 2
10
Determine which of the following are polynomial
functions. If the function is a polynomial, state its
degree.
f x 2 x x
4
A polynomial of degree 4.
We can write in an x0 since this = 1.
g x 2 x 0 A polynomial of degree 0.
h x 2 x 1
square root since the power is NOT
an integer 1
x x2
F x x
3 2 Not a polynomial because of the x in
the denominator since the power is
x 1 1
negative
x
x
Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
Practice Problems
Evaluate each polynomial function
f x 3x 2 10 f 1
3 1 10 3 1 10 3 10 7
2
g y 6 y 2 11y 20 g 3
6 3 11 3 20 6 9 33 20
2
54 33 20 87 20 67
Practice Problems
Adding and Subtracting
Polynomials
Method 1 (vertically)
Line up like terms. Then add the coefficients.
4x2 + 6x + 7 -2x3 + 2x2 5x + 3
2x2 9x + 1 0 + 5x2 + 4x - 5
6x2 3x + 8 -2x3 + 7x2 x - 2
Method 2 (horizontally)
Group like terms. Then add the coefficients.
(4x2 + 6x + 7) + (2x2 9x + 1) = (4x2 + 2x2) + (6x 9x) + (7 + 1)
= 6x2 3x + 8
Example 2:
(-2x3 + 0) + (2x2 + 5x2) + (-5x + 4x) + (3 5)
Example 2
Use a zero placeholder
Simplify each sum and find the coefficient of
given term in the bracket
Remember
Use a zero as a placeholder for the
missing term.
Word Problem
Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
Multiplication
Multiplying Monomials by Monomials
Examples:
10x 9x 90x 2
8 x 11x
3 7 10
88x
5x 4
x 5x 5
Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
Multiplication
Multiplying Monomials by Polynomials
Examples:
4 x x 4 x 3 4x 16x 12x
2 3 2
8 x 7 x 1 56x5 8x
4
5x 3x
3 2
x 2 15x 5 5x 410x 3
Polynomials and Polynomial Functions
Multiplication
Multiplying Two Polynomials
Examples:
x 5 x 10 x 3
2
x 3
10x 2
3x 5x 2
50x 15
x 3 15x 2 47x 15
x 5 3x 4
4 x 2
and grows
f x x 2
steeper on either
side
f x x 3
The higher the
power, the flatter
and steeper
Lets graph f x x 2
4