Unit 5 Polynomial Functions

Day 1 Factoring Polynomials

Day 2 Polynomial Functions

Day 3 Modeling Polynomials

Day 4 Long and Synthetic Division

Day 5 Rational Roots Review

Day 6 Analyzing and Word Problems

Day 7 Review

Day 8 Test
Warm UP: Solve by factoring
2 2 2
1) 𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 4 =− 3𝑥 2) 2𝑥 + 15𝑥 − 7 = 2𝑥 3) 4𝑥 + 7𝑥 =− 8𝑥 − 14

Notes: Factoring Polynomials

LEARNING TARGET: I will factor polynomials completely using a variety of methods.

A factorable polynomial with integer coefficients is factored completely if it is written as a product of

unfactorable polynomials with integer coefficients (characterized as a prime polynomial).

What is the difference between a factor and a zero?

Factoring expressions often involves trial and error, however, some expressions are easy to factor because they
follow special patterns.

Pattern Name Pattern Example

GCF A common monomial can be

factored out.

Difference of Two Squares

Grouping

Sum of Two Cubes 3 3 2

𝑎 + 𝑏 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 )
2 3 2
8𝑥 + 27 = (2𝑥 + 3)(4𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 9)

Difference of Two Cubes 3 3 2

𝑎 − 𝑏 = (𝑎 − 𝑏)(𝑎 + 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 )
2 3
64𝑥 − 1 = (4𝑥 − 1)(16𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 1)
2

2
Factoring Tips:

Factoring by Grouping Factoring Trinomials

1. Group the 1st two and the last two terms with 1. Rewrite both terms as perfect cubes
parentheses. 2. Write the 1st term by rewriting the problem without
2. Take out the GCF in the 1st two terms the cubes.
3. To write the second term use SOPS:
3. Write what is left in the parentheses
S – Square the first term
4. What must be factored out of the last terms to
O – Opposite Sign
keep the same expression in the parentheses? P – Product of the terms
Factor it out. S – Square the second term
5. The two terms on the outside of the parentheses
are one factor. The expression in the parentheses
is the other factor (not repeated). SOAP

Examples:

Sum of Cubes Difference of Cubes

3 5 2
𝑥 + 64 16𝑧 − 250𝑧

3 2
Grouping 𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 16𝑥 + 48

Factor the expression if possible. If not, then write prime.

3 2 3 2 3 2
1. 7𝑥 − 21𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 6 2. 𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 12 3. 5𝑥 − 10𝑥 + 4𝑥 − 8

3
 3 2 3 2 3 2
4. 𝑥 +𝑥 +𝑥+1 5. 𝑦 − 7𝑦 + 4𝑦 − 28 6. 𝑛 + 5𝑛 − 9𝑛 − 5

3 2 3 2 2
7. 3𝑚 −𝑚 + 9𝑚 − 3 8. 30𝑏 − 54𝑏 9. − 15𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 12

4 2 4 2 3 2
10. 2𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 3 11. 6𝑥 − 9𝑥 + 3 12. 3𝑥 − 7𝑥 + 𝑥

Solve the following equations.

2 2 2
1. (𝑥 − 3) = 3(𝑥 − 3) 2. 32𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 14 = (2𝑥 − 1)

4
 3 2
3. 36𝑎 − 15𝑎 + 84𝑎 − 35 = 0

Warm UP Factoring
3 3 2 3 2
1) 16𝑥 − 54 2) 4𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 100𝑥 − 125 3) 𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 25𝑥 − 75

Notes: Polynomial Functions

LEARNING TARGET: I will recognize the general shape and form of polynomial functions and
understand how the domain, range, turning points, degree, and zeros of a polynomial function
relate.

A polynomial function is of the form:

𝑛 𝑛−1
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑛
𝑥 +𝑎 𝑛−1
𝑥 + . . . + 𝑎 1𝑥 + 𝑎 0
Where:
● 𝑎 𝑛
≠0
● The exponents are all whole numbers
● The coefficients are all real numbers
● 𝑎 𝑛is the leading coefficient, n is the degree, 𝑎 0is the constant term

A polynomial function is in standard form if its terms are written in descending order of exponents
from left to right.

Examples: Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If so, write it in standard form and
state its degree, type, and leading coefficient.
2 𝑥 5
1. 𝑔(𝑥) = 7𝑥 − 3 + π𝑥 3. 𝑘(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 − 0. 6𝑥

2 −1 4 1 2
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 + 3𝑥 −𝑥 4. ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 4
𝑥 +3

5
Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
Theorem: If 𝑓(𝑥) is a polynomial of degree 𝑛 where 𝑛 > 0, then the equation 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 has at least one solution in
the set of complex numbers.

Corollary: If 𝑓(𝑥) is a polynomial of degree 𝑛 where 𝑛 > 0, then the equation 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 has exactly 𝑛 solutions
provided each solution repeated twice is counted as 2 solutions and so on.

𝑡ℎ
An 𝑛 degree polynomial function has exactly 𝑛 zeros

Example: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 1)

Degree:

Zeros:

y-intercept

Number of turning points

Increasing/Decreasing Intervals

Number of Zeros:

Domain:

Range:

2
Example: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 − 1)

Degree:

Zeros:

y-intercept

Number of turning points

Increasing/Decreasing Intervals

Number of Zeros:

Domain:

Range:

6
Example: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)

Degree:

Zeros:

y-intercept

Number of turning points

Increasing/Decreasing Intervals

Number of Zeros:

Domain:

Range:

2
Example: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 1)

Degree:

Zeros:

y-intercept

Number of turning points

Increasing/Decreasing Intervals

Number of Zeros:

Domain:

Range:

Multiplicity: Sometimes a factor appears more than once. That is its Multiplicity.

1. Is there a correlation between the number of zeros of a polynomial function and its degree?

2. Describe the graphs of the functions that have an odd degree.

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 3. Describe the graphs of the functions that have even degree.

4. Does the domain of the polynomial functions change? If so, what causes this change?

5. What is the range of each of the odd degree polynomial functions?

6. Is the range of the even degree functions the same as the odd degree functions?

7. What is the relationship between the degree of the function and the number of turning points in the
graph?

8. Explain how to write the increasing/decreasing intervals.

Decide whether the function is a polynomial function. If it is, write the function in standard form and state the
degree, type, and leading coefficient.

1) 𝑓(𝑥) = 7 − 2𝑥 2) 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 𝑥
−3
+8 3) ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 −
4 3 5
𝑥
4

Describe the end behavior of the graph of the polynomial function by completing these statements:
𝑓(𝑥) → ____as 𝑥 →____ and𝑓(𝑥) → ____as 𝑥 →____ .
3 5 2 8 7
4) 5𝑥 5) − 2𝑥 + 7𝑥 − 4𝑥 6) 3𝑥 − 9𝑥 + 10

8
Graph the Polynomial Function.
3 4 4 3
7) 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 − 2 8) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2𝑥 9) − 𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 1

Graph the polynomial and fill in the questions.

3 2
10) 𝑗(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 9𝑥 + 7𝑥

Solutions: _______________________
# of zeros:_______________________

End Behavior

4 2
11) ℎ(𝑡) =− 𝑡 − 16𝑡

Solutions: _______________________
# of zeros:_______________________

End Behavior

9
Summary:
● The degree of a polynomial function equals the number of zeros of the polynomial function
● The maximum number of turning points of the graph of a polynomial function is n-1 where n is the
degree of the function.
● The domain of EVERY polynomial function is All R.
● The range of every ODD degree polynomial function is All R.
● Multiplicity: the number of times a factor appears.

WARM Up
Match the Equation with the Graph
4 2 3 2
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 1 b) 𝑓(𝑥) =− 𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 2 c) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 𝑥 − 1

2) 3)
1)
___________________ ___________________
__________________

Notes: Operations with Polynomials and Modeling Polynomial Functions

Learning Target: Learn how to evaluate a function using synthetic substitution and how to write a model for a
polynomial function.

Basic Operation Review

3 3 2 4 2 3 4
1) (7𝑞 − 3𝑞 ) + (16 − 8𝑞 + 5𝑞 − 𝑞) 2) (10𝑣 − 2𝑣 + 6𝑣 − 7) − (9 − 𝑣 + 2𝑣 )

3) (2𝑥 + 1)
3
4) (2 + 5𝑖)(2 − 5𝑖)

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Method 1: Evaluate using direct substitution.
3 2
Use direct substitution to evaluate 𝑓(𝑥) =− 3𝑥 + 𝑥 − 12𝑥 − 5 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = −2

3 2
Method 2: Evaluate by Synthetic Substitution 𝑓(𝑥) =− 3𝑥 + 𝑥 − 12𝑥 − 5 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = −2

Review Fundamental Theorem of Algebra:

4 2
1) 𝑥 + 8𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 2 = 0 Number of zeros: _______ Number of real zeros: ______

3 2
2) 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 3 Number of zeros: _______ Number of real zeros: ______

Complex Conjugate Theorem:

If f is a polynomial function, and 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 is an imaginary zero, then 𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖 must also be a zero.
If f is a polynomial function, and 𝑎 + 𝑏 is an imaginary zero, then 𝑎 − 𝑏 must also be a zero.

Given a zero, identify another zero.

1) − 5 ______ 2) 6 − 2𝑖 ________ 3) − 3 − 2 7 _________ 4) 3𝑖 _________

Write the factor that will give the zeros above.

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Write a Polynomial Function given the zeros.
1) Find the polynomial with a leading coefficient of 2 that has the given zeros: 4, 1, -2.

Write 𝑓(𝑥) in factored form.

Change to standard form

2) Find the polynomial with a leading coefficient of 2 that has the given zeros: 5, 3, -2i.

Write 𝑓(𝑥) in factored form.

Change to standard form

Practice:
Evaluate with synthetic substitution.
4 3 3 2
1) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 5𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 8 for x = 3 2) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 23𝑥 + 60 for x = 3

Given the factors, identify the zeros.

2 3 2 2
3) 2𝑥(𝑥 + 6) 4) 3𝑥 (4𝑥 − 9) 5) (4𝑥 + 3)

12
Given the zero, write the factor.

6) 𝑥 =± 2 3 7) 𝑥 =
2
, −
1
8) 𝑥 =± 2𝑖
3 4

Write the function.

9) Write the polynomial with a leading coefficient of 1 that has the given zeros: -2, 3, 4.

Write 𝑓(𝑥) in factored form.

Change to standard form

10) Write the polynomial with a leading coefficient of 2 that has the given zeros: 5, -2i.

Write 𝑓(𝑥) in factored form.

Change to standard form

11) Write the polynomial with a leading coefficient of 2 that has the given zeros: 5, 3 .

Write in factored form

Change to standard form

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Warm Up
Given the zeros, find the Factors.

1) ± 𝑖 5 2) , 0 {0 has a multiplicity of 2}
3 1
4
, − 3

Notes: Polynomial and Synthetic Division

Learning Objectives:
● Use long division to divide a polynomial by another polynomial.
● Use synthetic division to divide polynomials by binomials of the form (x – k).
● Use the Remainder Theorem and the Factor Theorem.

Here are the steps required for Dividing by a Polynomial Containing More Than One Term (Long Division):
Step 1: Make sure the polynomial is written in descending order. If any terms are missing, use a zero to fill in the
missing term (this will help with the spacing).

Step 2: Divide the term with the highest power inside the division symbol by the term with the highest power
outside the division symbol.

Step 3: Multiply (or distribute) the answer obtained in the previous step by the polynomial in front of the division
symbol.

Step 4: Subtract and bring down the next term.

Step 5: Repeat steps 2,3, and 4 until there are no more terms to bring down.

Step 6: Write the final answer. The term remaining after the last subtract step is the remainder and must be written
as a fraction in the final answer.

Long Division of Polynomials

Suppose you are given the graph of

f (x) = 6x3 – 19x2 + 16x – 4.

Notice that a zero of f occurs at x = 2, as shown at the right.

Because x = 2 is a zero of f, you know that (x – 2) is a factor of f (x). This

means that there exists a second-degree polynomial q(x) such that
f (x) = (x – 2) • q(x).

To find q(x), you can use long division

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Divide 6x3 – 19x2 + 16x – 4 by x – 2, and use the result to factor the polynomial completely.
3 2
𝑥 − 2⟌6𝑥 − 19𝑥 + 16𝑥 − 4

Practice:
3 2 4 3 2
1. 4𝑥 − 7𝑥 − 11𝑥 + 5 ÷ 4𝑥 + 5 2. 𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 6𝑥 −𝑥−2÷𝑥+2

15
 4 2
𝑥 + 3⟌𝑥 − 10𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 4

Practice:
3 2 3 2
3. 3𝑥 − 17𝑥 + 15𝑥 − 25 ÷ 𝑥 − 5 4. 4𝑥 − 9𝑥 + 8𝑥 − 18 ÷ 𝑥 + 2

Use synthetic division to show that x is a solution of the third-degree polynomial equation..
3 2 3 2
5. 𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 6 = 0, 𝑥 = 3 6. 𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 2 = 0, 𝑥 = 1 + 3

16
The Remainder Theorem:
When we divide a polynomial
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑏𝑦 𝑥 − 3 the remainder is 𝑓(𝑐).
2
Example: 2𝑥 − 5𝑥 − 1 ÷ 𝑥 − 3

The Factor Theorem:

● When 𝑓(𝑐) = 0, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 − 𝑐 is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥).
● When 𝑥 − 𝑐 is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑓(𝑐) = 0.

Warm UP
1) A polynomial function with rational coefficients has the following zeros. Find all additional zeros.
a) − 1 + 𝑖, 3 b) 2, − 2 + 10

Notes: Rational Roots

Rational Roots Test: Allows us to find all possible rational roots of a polynomial. If a is a root of the polynomial
P(x) that means that P(a)=0. It means the input value is a root of the function.
Leading coefficient Constant term
𝑛 𝑛−1
𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥
𝑛
+𝑎 𝑛−1
𝑥 +. . . + 𝑎 1𝑥 + 𝑎 0

But 𝑎 ≠ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 ≠ 0.
𝑛 0
𝑝 ±(𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 0)
Possible Roots: 𝑞
= ±(𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 )
𝑛

Practice: Zeros of Polynomial Functions

Use the Rational Zero Theorem to list all possible rational zeros for the given function.
5 2
1) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 5

5 2
2) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 14

4 3 2
3) 𝑓(𝑥) = 6𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 5

17
Find a rational zero of the polynomial function and use it to find all the zeros of the function.
3 2 3 2
4) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 5𝑥 − 6 5) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 16𝑥 − 8

4 3 2 4 3 2
6) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 9𝑥 + 48𝑥 − 78𝑥 − 136 7) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 9𝑥 − 12𝑥 + 29𝑥 + 30

Use the rational root theorem, synthetic division and then solve for all roots.
3 2 3 2
8) 4𝑥 − 23𝑥 + 26𝑥 + 8 = 0 9) 𝑥 + 7𝑥 + 19𝑥 + 13 = 0

18
 4 3 2
10) 𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 10𝑥 − 14𝑥 − 3 = 0

Notes: Word Problems & Analyzing Polynomials

Warm UP
3 2
The volume of the box shown below is given by 𝑉 = 2𝑥 − 11𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 8 Find an expression for the
missing dimension.

A box with an open top is formed by cutting squares out of the corners of a rectangular piece of cardboard
and then folding up the sides. IF x represents the length of the side of the square cut from each corner, and if
the original piece of cardboard is 16 inches by 9 inches, what size square must be cut if the volume of the
box is to be 120 cubic inches?

19
 An open rectangular box with square base is to be made from 64 ft.2 of material. What dimensions will result
in a box with the largest possible volume ?

Find an nth degree polynomial function with real coefficients satisfying the given conditions.
12) n=3; 3 and i are zeros; f(2)=25 13) n=3; -4 and i are zeros; f(-3)=60

1
14) 𝑛 = 4; 3, 3
, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1 + 2𝑖 are zeros; 𝑓(1) = 48

20
 Polynomial Test Review
4 6
1. Write the polynomial in standard form: 𝑓(𝑥) =− 2𝑥 − 𝑥 − 4 + 5𝑥

2. Find the degrees, leading coefficient, and constant of each function:

3. Evaluate the polynomial function at x= -2 using direct AND synthetic substitution.

5 3 2
𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 𝑥 + 6𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1

4. What does your answer to #3 mean? What would it mean if the answer to #3 was 0?

Complete the polynomial operation.

5. (𝑥 + 5𝑖)(𝑥 − 5𝑖) 6. (𝑥 − 4)
3
7. (𝑥 + 7)(− 7)

Factor
3 2
1) 125𝑥 + 1 2) 𝑥 + 64

21
 3 2
3) 𝑥 − 64 4) 50𝑥 − 8

4 3 2 3 2
5) 28𝑥 + 112𝑥 − 21𝑥 − 84𝑥 6) 42𝑥 − 49𝑥 + 18𝑥 − 21

7) Draw a sketch of the function below.

Show the, x-intercepts, y-intercept and end behavior of
2
𝑓(𝑥) =− 2𝑥(𝑥 − 2) (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 3)

8) Find the end behavior of

4 3 2
𝑘(𝑥) = 5𝑥 − 𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 5

Question Answer A Answer B

9) Describe the end

behavior of the
polynomial
function whose
graph is shown.

22
 Describe the end
behavior of the
polynomial
function whose
graph is shown.

Which polynomial graph is being

described?

Which polynomial graph is being described?

Odd degree and positive leading coefficient As 𝑥 → ∞𝑓(𝑥) → ∞ As 𝑥 → ∞𝑓(𝑥) → − ∞

Even degree and negative leading As 𝑥 → ∞𝑓(𝑥) → ∞ As 𝑥 → ∞𝑓(𝑥) → − ∞

coefficient

5 4 3
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 5𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 7
2
As 𝑥 → − ∞𝑓(𝑥) → − ∞ As 𝑥 → − ∞𝑓(𝑥) → ∞

4 3
𝑔(𝑥) = 13𝑥 − 11𝑥 + 9𝑥 − 7𝑥 − 5
2
As 𝑥 → − ∞𝑓(𝑥) → − ∞ As 𝑥 → − ∞𝑓(𝑥) → ∞

Zeros
Given the zero, find the factor. GIven the factor, find the zero.

10) 5 11) 𝑥 − 3

12) −
3
13) 2𝑥 + 1
4

14) 2𝑖 15) 5𝑥 − 10

16) 5 17) 𝑥 − 5

23
 18) Create a polynomial function in STANDARD FORM with a leading coefficient of 2 and zeros at 0, 1, and
3.

Use Synthetic Division to divide the following polynomials.

3 2 4 3 2
19) (𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 8𝑥 − 5) ÷ (𝑥 − 1) 20) (2𝑥 + 6𝑥 − 10𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 8) ÷ (𝑥 + 4)

Factor the following polynomials completely (given a factor).

3 2 3 2
21) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 16𝑥 − 12; (𝑥 − 6) 22) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 12𝑥 + 12𝑥 + 80; (𝑥 − 10)

24
Factor the following polynomials completely (given a zero)
3 2 3 2
23) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 20𝑥 + 24 -6 24) 𝑓(𝑥) = 15𝑥 − 119𝑥 − 10𝑥 + 16 8

25) List all the possible zeros of 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 21𝑥 − 18. Then find all zeros for the polynomial function.
3 2

Show the synthetic division and other work for full credit.

3 2
26) List all the possible zeros of 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 10. Then find all zeros for the polynomial function.
Show the synthetic division and other work for full credit.

3 2
27) List all the possible zeros of 𝑔(𝑥) = 4𝑥 − 12𝑥 − 𝑥 + 15. Then find all zeros for the polynomial function.
Show the synthetic division and other work for full credit.

25
Sketch the polynomial functions.
2 4
28) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(𝑥 + 3) (𝑥 − 7)

Degree________ Leading Coefficient ________

Number of turning points: ________

End behavior:

Zeros: ___________

Multiplicity: ________________

2
29) 𝑓(𝑥) =− 4(𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 8)

Degree________ Leading Coefficient ________

Number of turning points: ________

End behavior:

Zeros: ___________

Multiplicity: ________________

A sheet of cardboard 6m. by 4m. will be made into a box by cutting equal-sized squares from each corner
and folding up the four edges. What will be the dimensions of the box with the largest volume ?

26