Advanced Functions

Course Notes

Chapter 2 – Polynomial
Functions
Learning Goals: We are learning
 The algebraic and geometric structure of polynomial functions of
degree three and higher
 Algebraic techniques for dividing one polynomial by another
 Techniques for using division to FACTOR polynomials
 To solve problems involving polynomial equations and inequalities
 Chapter 2 – Polynomial Functions
Contents with suggested problems from the Nelson Textbook (Chapter 3)

2.1 Polynomial Functions: An Introduction – Pg 30 - 32

Pg. 122 #1 – 3 (Review on Quadratic Factoring)
Pg. 127 – 128 #1, 2, 5, 6

2.2 Characteristics of Polynomial Functions – Pg 33 – 38

Pg. 136 - 138 #1 – 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

2.3 Zeros of Polynomial Functions – Pg 39 – 43

READ ex 3, 4, 5 on Pg 141 - 144
Pg. 146 - 148 #1 2, 4, 6, 8ab, 10, 12, 13b

2.4 Dividing Polyomials – Pg 44 - 51

Pg. 168 - 170 #2, 5, 6acdef, 10acef, 12, 13

2.5 The Factor Theorem – Pg 52 – 54

Pg. 176 - 177 #1, 2, 5 – 7 abcd, 8ac, 9, 12

2.6 Sums and Differences of Cubes – Pg 55 – 56

Pg 182 #2aei, 3, 4

ii
2.1 Polynomial Functions: An Introduction
Learning Goal: We are learning to identify polynomial functions.

Definition 2.1.1
A Polynomial Function is of the form

Examples of Polynomial Functions

a) f ( x)  8 x 4  5 x3  2 x 2  3 x  5

b) g ( x)  7 x 6  4 x 3  3x 2  2 x

Notes: The TERM an x n in any polynomial function (where n is the highest power we see) is

called the , and then we write all the following terms

in .

The has two components:

1)

2)

30
The tells us the end behaviour of the polynomial function.

Pictures

31
Definition 2.1.2
The order of a polynomial is

Success Criteria:
 I can justify whether a function is polynomial or not
 I can identify the degree of a polynomial function
 I can recognize that the domain of a polynomial is the set of all real numbers
 I can recognize that the range of a polynomial function may be the set of all real numbers,
or it may have an upper/lower bound
 I can identify the shape of a polynomial function given its degree

32
2.2 Characteristics (Behaviours) of Polynomial
Functions
Today we open, and look inside the black box of mystery

Learning Goal: We are learning to determine the turning points and end behaviours of
polynomial functions.

Consider the sketch of the graph of some function, f ( x) :

Figure 2.2.1

Observations about f ( x) :
1) f ( x) is a polynomial of order (degree).

2) The leading coefficient is

3) f ( x) has 3 (where the functional behaviour of

INCREASING/DECREASING switches from one to the other.)

33
4) f ( x) has 2

5) f ( x) is increasing on

f ( x) is decreasing on

6) f ( x) has a functional value.

7) f ( x) has a at (2,1) but

34
Consider the sketch of the graph of some function g ( x ) :

Figure 2.2.2

Observations about g ( x ) :

35
 General Observations about the Behaviour of Polynomial Functions

1) The Domain of all Polynomial Functions is

2) The Range of ODD ORDERED Polynomial Functions is

3) The Range of EVEN ORDERED Polynomial Functions

Even Ordered Polynomials

Zeros: A Polynomial Function, f ( x) , with an even degree of “n” (i.e. n  2, 4, 6... ) can
have

e.g. A degree 4 Polynomial Function (with a positive leading coefficient) can look like:

36
 Turning Points:
The minimum number of turning points for an Even Ordered Polynomial
Function is

The maximum number of turning points for a Polynomial Function of (even)

order n is

Odd Ordered Polynomials

Zeros:

Turning Points:

Example 2.2.1 (#2, for #1b, from Pg. 136)

Determine the minimum and maximum number of zeros and turning points the given
function may have: g ( x )  2 x 5  4 x 3  10 x 2  13 x  8

37
Example 2.2.2 (#4d from Pg. 136)
Describe the end behaviour of the polynomial function using the order and the sign on the
leading coefficient for the given function: f ( x)  2 x 4  5 x3  2 x 2  3x  1

Example 2.2.3 (#7c from Pg. 137)

Sketch a graph of a polynomial function that satisfies the given set of conditions:
Degree 4 - positive leading coefficient - 1 zero - 3 turning points.

Success Criteria:
 I can differentiate between an even and odd degree polynomial
 I can identify the number of turning points given the degree of a polynomial function
 I can identify the number of zeros given the degree of a polynomial function
 I can determine the symmetry (if present) in polynomial functions

38
2.3 Zeros of Polynomial Functions
(Polynomial Functions in Factored Form)

Today we take a deeper look inside the Box of Mystery, carefully examining Zeros
of Polynomial Functions

Learning Goal: We are learning to determine the equation of a polynomial function that
describes a particular situation or graph and vice-versa.

We’ll begin with an Algebraic Perspective:

Consider the polynomial function in factored form:

f ( x)  (2 x  3)( x  1)( x  2)( x  3)

Observations:

39
Now, consider the polynomial function g ( x)  ( x  3) 2 ( x  1)( x  2)

Observations:

Geometric Perspective on Repeated Roots (zeros) of order 2

Consider the quadratic in factored form: f ( x)  ( x  1) 2

Figure 2.3.1

40
Consider the polynomial function in factored form: h(t )  (t  1)3 (2t  5)

Observations:

Geometric Perspective on Repeated Roots (zeros) of order 3

Consider the function f ( x)  ( x  1)3

Figure 2.3.2

41
Example 2.3.1
Sketch a (possible) graph of f ( x)  2 x( x  1)( x  2)

Families of Functions

Polynomial functions which share the same are “broadly related” (e.g.
all quadratics are in the “order 2 family”).

Polynomial Functions which share the same

are more tightly related.

Polynomial Functions which share the same

are like siblings.

Example 2.3.2
The family of functions of order 4, with zeros x  1, 0, 3, 5 can be expressed as:

42
Example 2.3.3
Sketch a graph of g ( x )  4 x 4  16 x 2

Example 2.3.4
Sketch a (possible) graph of h(t )  (t  1)3 (t  2) 2

43
Example 2.3.5
Determine the quartic function, f ( x) , with zeros at x  2, 0, 1, 3 , if f (1)  2 .

Success Criteria:
 I can determine the equation of a polynomial function in factored form
 I can determine the behaviour of a zero based on the order/exponent of that factor

44
2.4a Dividing a Polynomial by a Polynomial
(The Hunt for Factors)

Learning Goal: We are learning to divide a polynomial by a polynomial using long division

Note: In this course we will almost

always be dividing a polynomial by
a monomial

Before embarking, we should consider some “basic” terms (and notation):

dividend remainder
 quotient 
divisor divisor

Note: The Divisor and the Quotient will both be

IF

45
Example 2.4.1
Use LONG DIVISION for the following division problem:
5 x 4  3 x3  2 x 2  6 x  7
x2 Please read Example 1 (Part A) on
Pgs. 162 – 163 in your textbook.

KEY OBSERVATION:

46
Example 2.4.2
2 x5  3 x3  4 x  1
Using Long Division, divide .
x 1

KEY OBSERVATION:

Classwork: Pg. 169 #5 (Yep, that’s it for today)

Success Criteria:
 I can use long division to determine the quotient and remainder of polynomial division
 I can identify a factor of a polynomial if, after long division, there is no remainder

47
2.4b Dividing a Polynomial by a Polynomial
(The Hunt for Factors – Part 2)

Learning Goal: We are learning to divide a polynomial by a polynomial using synthetic division

Here we will examine an alternative form of polynomial division called Synthetic Division.
Don’t be fooled! This is not “fake division”. You’re thinking with the wrong meaning for
“synthetic”. (Do a search online and see if you can come up with the meaning I am taking!)

In Synthetic Division we concern ourselves with

Synthetic Division uses

Note:

The Set-up

48
Example 2.4.3
Divide using synthetic division:
(4 x3  5x2  2 x 1)  ( x  2)

Example 2.4.4
Divide using synthetic division:
4 x 4  3x 2  2 x  1
x 1

49
Example 2.4.5
Divide using your choice of method (and you choose synthetic division…amen)
(2 x3  9 x2  x 12)  (2 x  3)

Example 2.4.6
Is 3 x  1 a factor of the function f ( x )  6 x  x 3  2  3x 4 ?

50
Example 2.4.7 (OK…this is a lot of examples!)
1
Consider again (from Example 2.4.6) f ( x)  3x 4  x3  6 x  2 , and calculate f   .
3

Example 2.4.8
 3
Consider Example 2.4.5. Let g ( x)  2 x 3  9 x 2  x  12 , and calculate g   .
 2

The Remainder Theorem

Given a polynomial function, f ( x), divided by a
linear binomial, x  k , then the remainder of the division
is the value

51
Proof of the Remainder Theorem

Example 2.4.9
5 x 4  3 x 3  50 WAIT!!!! We MUST have a
Determine the remainder of .
x2 FUNCTION

Success Criteria:
 I can appreciate that synthetic division is “da bomb”
 I can use synthetic division to determine the quotient and remainder of polynomial
division
 I can identify a factor of a polynomial if, after synthetic division, there is no remainder
(The Remainder Theorem)

52
2.5 The Factor Theorem
(Factors have been FOUND)

Learning Goal: We are learning the connections between a polynomial function and its
remainder when divided by a binomial

The Factor Theorem

Given a polynomial function, f ( x ), then x  a is a
factor of f ( x)

Example 2.5.1
Use the Factor Theorem to factor x 3  2 x 2  5 x  6 . WAIT!!!! We need a FUNCTION

53
Example 2.5.2
Factor fully x 4  x 3  16 x 2  4 x  48

54
Example 2.5.3 (Pg 177 #6c in your text)
Factor fully x 4  8 x 3  4 x 2  48 x

Example 2.5.4 (Pg 177 #10)

When ax 3  x 2  2 x  b is divided by x  1 the remainder is 10 . When it is divided by
x  2 the remainder is 51 . Find a and b.
This problem is very instructive.

Success Criteria:
 I can use test values to find the factors of a polynomial function
 I can factor a polynomial of degree three or greater by using the factor theorem
 I can recognize when a polynomial function is not factorable

55
2.6 Factoring Sums and Differences of Cubes
patternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatterns
atternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternsp
tternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspa
ternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspat
ernspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatt
rnspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatternspatte

Knowing how to factor a sum or difference of cubes is a simple matter of remembering patterns.

Learning Goal: We are learning to factor a sum or difference of cubes.

Example 2.6.1 (Recalling the pattern for factoring a Difference of Squares)

Factor 4 x 2  25

Note: Sums of Squares

DO NOT factor!!

e.g. Simplify x 2  4

Differences of Cubes

Pattern
 cube1  cube2    cuberoot1 cuberoot2   cuberoot12 cuberoot1  cuberoot2 cuberoot2 2 

TWO POSITIVES and ONE NEGATIVE

Sums of Cubes (These DO factor!!)

Pattern
(cube1  cube2 )   cuberoot1 cuberoot2   cuberoot12 cuberoot1  cuberoot2 cuberoot2 2 

56
Example 2.6.2
Factor x 3  8

Example 2.6.3
Factor 27 x 3  125 y 3

Example 2.6.4
Factor 1  64 z 3

Example 2.6.5
Factor 1000 x 3  27

Example 2.6.6
Factor x 6  729

Success Criteria:
 I can use patterns to factor a sum of cubes
 I can use patterns to factor a difference of cubes

57