Topic 6

Polynomial Functions
Domain, Range and Graph

GENMATH
Chemical Engineering Department
Dr. Susan A. Roces
1T, AY 2024 - 2025
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
A polynomial function is a function of the form:
n n−1 n−2
f (x) = an x + an−1 x + an−2 x +....... + a1 x + a0

where:
an , an−1, an−2 , .......a1, a0 are real numbers
n is a nonnegative int eger
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
Example of polynomial functions:
5 4 3 2
f (x) = 4x − 3x − 2x + 5x −10x + 7
Degree is 5
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
Determine which of the following are polynomial
functions. If the function is a polynomial function,
identify its degree:
1. f (x) = 4 − 3x 6 Polynomial Function Degree is 6

2. g(x) = x −1 Root Function

x2 − 4 Rational Function
3. k(x) = 2
x +1
4. m(x) = −10 Constant Function

5. n(x) = 0 Constant Function

6. j(x) = (3x 2 − 5)(4x +1) Polynomial Function Degree is 3
 POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
Recall:

• Constant Functions
f (x) = a0 , where : a0 ∈ R
• Linear Functions
f (x) = a1 x + a0 , where : a0 , a1 ∈ R, a1 ≠ 0
• Quadratic Functions
2
f (x) = a2 x + a1 x + a0 ,
where : a0 , a1, a2 ∈ R, a2 ≠ 0
GRAPHS OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
The graph of every polynomial function is both smooth
and continuous.

This is a graph of This graph is not a graph of

polynomial function. a polynomial function.
Cite at least two reasons why.
 POWER FUNCTIONS
A Power Function of degree n is a function of the form:
n
f (x) = an x
where :
a ∈ R, a ≠ 0
n is a positive int eger
Ø Knowing the first few power functions and the
behavior of their graphs will aid in understanding how
the graphs of the other polynomial functions behave.
End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

The graph of the polynomial function

n n−1 n−2
f (x) = an x + an−1 x + an−2 x +....... + a1 x + a0

Resembles the graph of the power function

n
f (x) = an x
End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

Illustration:

f (x) = 2x 6 + 6x 5 −12x 3 − 6x 2 + 6x + 4 f (x) = 2x 6

End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

Illustration:

5 4 3 2
f (x) = 2x − 5x + 2x − 4x + x −3 f (x) = 2x 5
End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

In general, the end behavior of the graphs of polynomial

functions of the form:
n n−1 n−2
f (x) = an x + an−1 x + an−2 x +....... + a1 x + a0
can be classified into four cases.
Case 1: n ≥ 2, n is even, an 〉 0
Case 2 : n ≥ 2, n is even, an 〈 0
Case 3 : n ≥ 3, n is odd, an 〉 0
Case 4 : n ≥ 3, n is odd, an 〈 0
 End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

n n−1 n−2
f (x) = an x + an−1 x + an−2 x +....... + a1 x + a0

Case 1: n ≥ 2, n is even, an 〉 0
The value of f(x) approaches positive infinity as x
approaches negative infinity and positive infinity.
The end behaviour of the graph of a polynomial function
under this case resembles the end behaviour of the graph
of the power functions f(x) = a x2 with a > 0.
Ø For simplicity, the functions f(x) = a x2 is used as a
reference.
End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

Case 1: n ≥ 2, n is even, an 〉 0
f (x) = x 2 f (x) = 2x 6 +3x 5 − 5x 4 + 2x 3 − 4x 2 + x −3

f (x) = 5x 4 + 2x 3 − 4x 2 + x −3
 End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

n n−1 n−2
f (x) = an x + an−1 x + an−2 x +....... + a1 x + a0

Case 2 : n ≥ 2, n is even, an 〈 0
The value of f(x) approaches negative infinity as x
approaches negative infinity and positive infinity.
The end behaviour of the graph of a polynomial function
under this case resembles the end behaviour of the graph
of the power functions f(x) = - a x2 with a < 0.
Ø For simplicity, the functions f(x) = - a x2 is used as a
reference.
End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

Case 2 : n ≥ 2, n is even, an 〈 0
6 4 3 2
2
f (x) = −3x + x − 4x +3x +10
f (x) = −x

6 4 3 2
f (x) = −3x + x − 4x +3x − x + 4
 End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

n n−1 n−2
f (x) = an x + an−1 x + an−2 x +....... + a1 x + a0

Case 3 : n ≥ 3, n is odd, an 〉 0

The end behaviour of the graph of a polynomial function

under this case resembles the end behaviour of the graph
of the power functions f(x) = a x3 with a > 0.
Ø For simplicity, the functions f(x) = a x3 is used as a
reference.
End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

Case 3 : n ≥ 3, n is odd, an 〉 0
f (x) = x 3 f (x) = 2x 7 −3x 4 −+2x

f (x) = 4x 5 +3x 4 − 5x 3 − 6x 2 + x − 2
 End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

n n−1 n−2
f (x) = an x + an−1 x + an−2 x +....... + a1 x + a0

Case 4 : n ≥ 3, n is odd, an 〈 0

The end behaviour of the graph of a polynomial function

under this case resembles the end behaviour of the graph
of the power functions f(x) = - a x3 with a < 0.
Ø For simplicity, the functions f(x) = - x3 is used as a
reference.
End Behavior of the Graphs of Polynomial Functions

Case 4 : n ≥ 3, n is odd, an 〈 0
3 7 6 5 4 2
f (x) = −x f (x) = −3x + 5x − x −3x + 2x + 4x

9 6 5
f (x) = −2x +3x + 5x −3x
The Domain and Range of a Polynomial Function

The Domain of every polynomial function is the set of all

real numbers from negative infinity to positive infinity.
The Range of a polynomial function can be taken by
analyzing the end behavior of the graph of the function.

Ø For Case 1, we could say that the range is

{y/y ε R, y ≥ the minimum value}
Ø For Case 2, we could say that the range is
{y/y ε R, y ≤ the maximum value}
ü If the maximum or minimum values can be identified
in a graph.
 The Domain and Range of a Polynomial Function

The Range of a polynomial function can be taken by

analyzing the end behavior of the graph of the function.

Ø For Case 3 and 4, their range is the set of all real

numbers.

ü Except for the quadratic functions, finding the range of

the polynomial functions under Case 1 and Case 2 is
beyond the scope of GENMATH.
 General Steps in Sketching the
Graph of Polynomial Functions

1. Identify its domain and range (if possible) and

determine the end behavior of the graph based on the
four cases.

2. Find the x – and y – intercepts of the functions.

Ø The x - intercepts are also the zeroes of the function.
Ø For polynomial functions, it is best to factor the
polynomial function to get the zeroes by using
factoring and/or synthetic division.
 General Steps in Sketching the
Graph of Polynomial Functions

3. Identify zeroes with odd and even multiplicity and

identify how the graph will behave on these zeroes.
. At zeroes with odd multiplicity, the graph of f(x)
Ø
crosses the x – axis.
Ø At zeroes with even multiplicity, the graph of f(x)
touches the x – axis.

4. Plot the points according to the zeroes of the function

and the y - intercept.
 General Steps in Sketching the
Graph of Polynomial Functions
5. Create a smooth and continuous curve based on the end
behaviour of the graph while passing through the x –
and y – intercepts.
Ø For better estimate of the graph, plot additional points
by using x values in between the x – intercepts and
their corresponding y – values.
Ø Keep in mind that the graph of the function with degree
n can only have at most n – 1 turning points.
6. Label the important points (through the x and y
intercepts) and name the graph with its corresponding
function.
 Illustrative Examples

1. Sketch the graph the polynomial function

Label the x- and y- intercepts of the graph.
6 5 3 2
f (x) = 2x + 6x −12x − 6x + 6x + 4
Solution:
1. Identify its domain and range (if possible) and
determine the end behavior of the graph based on the
four cases.
 Illustrative Examples
1. Identify its domain and range (if possible) and
determine the end behavior of the graph based on the
four cases.
Ø Since it a polynomial function, its domain is the set of
real numbers.

Ø The end behaviour of the graph resembles that of the

quadratic function f(x) = x2.

Ø Its range cannot be identified although we know that

y ≥ a (minimum value).
 Illustrative Examples
2. Find the x – and y – intercepts of the functions.
x – intercept/zeroes: Let y = 0
6 5 3 2
0 = 2x + 6x −12x − 6x + 6x + 4 Synthetic Division
2 3
0 = 2(x + 2)(x −1) (x +1)
x – intercept: P(-2, 0), (1, 0), (-1, 0)
The zeroes are -2, 1 and -1
y – intercept: Let x = 0, y = 4, P(0, 4)
 Illustrative Examples

3. Identify zeroes with odd and even multiplicity and

identify how the graph will behave on these zeroes.
Ø At zeroes with odd multiplicity, the graph of f(x)
crosses the x – axis.
Ø At zeroes with even multiplicity, the graph of f(x)
touches the x – axis.
2 3
0 = 2(x + 2)(x −1) (x +1) The zeroes are -2, 1 and -1
Ø It shows that -2 and -1 have odd multiplicities, the
graph will cross the x – axis at x = -2 and x = -1
Ø It shows that 1 have even multiplicities, the graph will
touch the x – axis at x = 1.
 Illustrative Examples
4. Plot the points according to the zeroes of the function
and the y - intercept.
Ø The zeroes are
-2, 1 and -1
Ø x – intercepts:
P(-2, 0), (-1, 0) and (1, 0)

Ø y – intercept: P(0, 4)
 Illustrative Examples

5. Create a smooth and continuous curve based on the end

behaviour of the graph while passing through the x –
and y – intercepts, and additional points, if there is any.

Ø The end behavior of

the graph resembles
the graph of f(x) = x2.
Ø The graph has only
three turning points,
which is within the
allowed number for
the given function.
 Illustrative Examples

6. Label the important points (through the x and y

intercepts) and name the graph with its corresponding
function. 6 5 3 2
f (x) = 2x + 6x −12x − 6x + 6x + 4
Ø For better estimate of
the graph, use values
of x in between the x
– intercepts and find
their corresponding
y - values.
 Illustrative Examples

2. Sketch the graph the polynomial function

Label the x- and y- intercepts of the graph.
5 4 3 2
f (x) = −3x − 9x + 9x + 21x −18x
Solution:
Ø Domain: All Real Numbers
Ø Range: All Real Numbers
Ø End behaviour resembles: f (x) = −x 3
 Illustrative Examples
Ø Solve for x - intercept: Let y = 0
5 4 3 2
0 = −3x − 9x + 9x + 21x −18x Common Factor
4 3 2
0 = −3x(x +3x −3x − 7x + 6) Synthetic Division
2
0 = −3x(x + 2)(x +3)(x −1) Solve for x

x = 0, − 2, −3, 1 The zeroes

x - intercept: (0,0),( − 2,0),( −3,0),( 1,0)
x = 0, − 2, −3→ odd multiplicities, the graph will cross the x –
axis
 Illustrative Examples
x =1→ f (x) = −3x 5 − 9x 4 + 9x 3 + 21x 2 −18x
even multiplicities, the Ø The end behavior of
graph will touch the x – the graph resembles
axis the graph of
Ø y - intercept: Let x = 0 f(x) = -x3.

y = 0, P(0,0)
Ø Additional points (optional)

(−2.5,−22.97),(−1,24)
(0.5,−3.28)
 Illustrative Examples
x =1→ f (x) = −3x 5 − 9x 4 + 9x 3 + 21x 2 −18x
even multiplicities, the
graph will touch the x –
axis
Ø y - intercept: Let x = 0
y = 0, P(0,0)
Ø Additional points (optional)

(−2.5,−22.97),(−1,24)
(0.5,−3.28)
 KEY IDEAS
For the polynomial function:
n n−1 n−2
f (x) = an x + an−1 x + an−2 x +....... + a1 x + a0
Ø the degree of the polynomial is n
Ø the domain is all real numbers
Ø the maximum number of turning points in n-1
Ø at zero of even multiplicity, the graph of f(x)
touches the x - axis
Ø at zero of odd multiplicity, the graph of f(x)
crosses the x - axis
 KEY IDEAS
For the polynomial function:
n n−1 n−2
f (x) = an x + an−1 x + an−2 x +....... + a1 x + a0

Ø the end behaviour of the graph of f(x)

can be classified into four types
 Homework 7_POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

In each of the following,

a) describe the end behavior of its graph
b) identify its domain and range, if possible
c) determine the x and y – intercepts
d) determine the number of turning points
e) sketch a graph of the functions

3 2
1. f (x) = x − 2x −3x
5 3
2. f (x) = x − 5x + 4x
6 4 2
3. f (x) = −x +3x −3x +1
Homework 7_POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS

4 3 2
4. f (x) = x + x −8x −12x
6 5 4
5. f (x) = x + 2x − 24x
 REFERENCES
Sullivan, M. (2005). Precalculus (7th ed.). Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall.