How Polynomials Behave

A polynomial looks like this:
polynomial 2x^4+6x-5
example of a polynomial

Continuous and Smooth

There are two main things about the graphs of Polynomials:

The graphs of polynomials are continuous, which is a special term with an exact definition in calculus, but here we will use this simplified definition:

pencilwe can draw it without lifting our pen from the paper

The graphs of polynomials are also smooth. No sharp "corners" or "cusps"

smooth, not sharp

How the Curves Behave

Let us graph some polynomials to see what happens ...

... and let us start with the simplest form:

f(x) = xn

Which actually does interesting things:

Even Power Functions

Even values of "n" behave the same:

  • Always above (or equal to) 0
  • Always go through (0,0), (1,1) and (-1,1)
  • Larger values of n flatten out near 0, and rise more sharply above the x-axis

Odd Power Functions

Odd values of "n" behave the same:

  • Always go from negative x and y to positive x and y
  • Always go through (0,0), (1,1) and (−1,−1)
  • Larger values of n flatten out near 0, and fall/rise more sharply from the x-axis

Power Function of Degree n

Next, by including a multiplier of a we get what is called a "Power Function":

f(x) = axn
f(x) equals a times x to the "power" (ie exponent) n

The a changes it this way:

Example: f(x) = ax2
a = 2, 1, ½, −1
  Example: f(x) = ax3
a = 2, 1, ½, −1
     
ax^2
  ax^3

We can use that knowledge when sketching some polynomials:

Example: Make a Sketch of y=1−2x7

Start with the simplest "odd power" graph of x3, and gradually turn it into 1−2x7

  • We know how x3 looks,
  • x7 is similar, but flatter near zero, and steeper elsewhere,
  • Squash it to get 2x7,
  • Flip it to get −2x7, and
  • Raise it by 1 to get 1−2x7.

Like this:

x^3 to 1-2x^7 in steps

So by doing this step-by-step we can get a good result.

Turning Points

A Turning Point is an x-value where a local maximum or local minimum happens:

Local Max and Min

How many turning points does a polynomial have?

Never more than the Degree minus 1

The Degree of a Polynomial with one variable is the largest exponent of that variable.

polynomial

 

Example: a polynomial of Degree 4 will have 3 turning points or less

x^4-2x^2+x   x^4-2x
x4−2x2+x
has 3 turning points
  x4−2x
has only 1 turning point

The most is 3, but there can be less.

We may not know where they are, but at least we know the most there can be!

What Happens at the Ends

And when we move far from zero:

then the graph starts to resemble the graph of y = axn where axn is the term with the highest degree.

Example: f(x) = 3x3−4x2+x

Far to the left or right, the graph will look like 3x3

polynomial end behavior   polynomial end behavior
Near Zero, they are
different
  Far From Zero, they
become similar

This makes sense, because when x is large, then x3 is much greater than x2 etc

This is officially called the "End Behavior Model".

 

Summary

 

486, 487, 488, 4020, 1128, 4022, 1129, 2404, 2405, 4021