1.

2 – Characteristics of Polynomial Functions Some Terminology…

WARM-UP: Local Max/Min
The highest/lowest points in a
1. Use finite differences to determine if the following particular section of the graph
functions are linear, quadratic, cubic or quartic.
Maximum/Minimum
a) x f(x) b) x f(x) The highest/lowest point over
-9 8 -3 58 the entire domain of the function
-3 6 -2 -23
3 4 -1 -20 Turning Points (max/min points)
9 2 0 -5 A point where the functions “stops” increasing/decreasing
15 0 1 -2
2 13 Point of Inflection
3 112 A point where the curve changes from opening downwards to
opening upwards (or vice versa)

Polynomial Functions of ODD Degree Polynomial Functions of ODD Degree

Compare the functions graphed below. Compare the functions graphed below.

Describe their similarities and differences in terms of… Describe their similarities and differences in terms of…

a) End behaviour a) End behaviour

b) Number of minimum points b) Number of minimum points

Number of maximum points Number of maximum points

c) Number of local minimum points c) Number of local minimum points

Number of local maximum points Number of local maximum points

d) Number of x-intercepts d) Number of x-intercepts

How is this group of graphs similar How is this group of graphs similar

to the graph of y = x? to the graph of y = – x?

 Key Features of Graphs of Polynomial
Functions With ODD Degree
Positive Leading Coefficient
Graph extends from
Quadrant 3 to Quadrant 1
(Like the graph of y = x)
Polynomial Functions of EVEN Degree
Compare the functions graphed below.
Describe their similarities and differences in terms of…
a) End behaviour
b) Number of minimum points
Number of maximum points
c) Number of local minimum points
Number of local maximum points
d) Number of x-intercepts
How is this group of graphs similar
2
to the graph of y = x ?
Key Features of Graphs of Polynomial
Functions With ODD Degree (Cont’d)
Negative Leading Coefficient Odd-degree polynomial functions with degree n have…
Graph extends from
Quadrant 2 to Quadrant 4 At least one x-intercept
(Like the graph of y = –x)
At most n x-intercepts
Domain:
Range:
No maximum point and
no minimum point
Point symmetry
At most a total of
n – 1 local max + mins
Polynomial Functions of EVEN Degree
Compare the functions graphed below.
Describe their similarities and differences in terms of…
a) End behaviour
b) Number of minimum points
Number of maximum points
c) Number of local minimum points
Number of local maximum points
d) Number of x-intercepts
How is this group of graphs similar
to the graph of y = – x2 ?
 Key Features of Graphs of Polynomial Key Features of Graphs of Polynomial
Functions With EVEN Degree Functions With EVEN Degree (Cont’d)
Positive Leading Coefficient Negative Leading Coefficient
Graph extends from Graph extends from
Quadrant 2 to Quadrant 1 Quadrant 3 to Quadrant 4
(Like the graph of y = x2) (Like the graph of y = –x2)

Range: Range:
where a is the minimum value where a is the maximum
of the function value of the function

An even-degree polynomial with An even-degree polynomial with

a positive coefficient will have a negative coefficient will have
at least one minimum point at least one maximum point

Key Features of Graphs of Polynomial Matching Functions & Graphs

Functions With EVEN Degree (Cont’d)
EXAMPLE 1:
Even-degree polynomials may have from zero to a Determine the key features of the graph of each
maximum of n x-intercepts, where n is the degree of polynomial function.
the function
Use these features to match each function with its
Domain: corresponding graph.
Even-degree polynomials Discuss: max/min, x-intercepts, end behaviours, etc.
may have line symmetry

Even-degree polynomials
can have at most a total
of n – 1 local max + mins
 Example 1 (Continued) Finite Differences
a) b) For a polynomial function of degree n, where n is a
positive integer, the nth differences…
Are equal (or constant)

Have the same sign as the leading coefficient

Are equal to
c) d)

, where a is the leading coefficient

Finite Differences Finite Differences

EXAMPLE 1: EXAMPLE 2:
State the degree of the polynomial function that The table below represents a polynomial function. Use
corresponds to each constant finite difference. finite differences to determine the following:
Determine the value of the leading coefficient for a) the degree
each polynomial function. b) the sign of the leading coefficient
a)Fourth differences are –24 c) the value of the leading coefficient
x g(x)
-3 -36
-2 -12
-1 -2
b)Third differences are 12 0 0
1 0
2 4
3 18
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• Advanced Functions 12 Textbook!
• Pages 25 – 29
# C3, C4, 1 – 8, 12, 15