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3.4: Polynomials and Graphs

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1. Left and Right Behavior

We will investigate the outer shape of several polynomials and explore the following rules:

Even Odd
Pos UU DU
Neg DD UD


Where Even and Odd refers to the degree of the polynomial, Pos and Neg refers to the leading coefficient, And a U or a D refers to the left and right behavior of the curve.

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2. Max and Min

Theorem

If f(x) is a polynomial of degree n then f(x) has at most n1 relative extrema.

Where relative extrema are "lumps" of the graph.

has at most 4 relative extrema.

3. Three Step Procedure For Graphing Polynomials

Step 1: Factor the polynomial into linear factors of the form

ax+b

Step 2 : Determine the left and right behavior of the graph and the shape of the graph near each x intercept.

Step 3: Connect the dots.

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Larry Green (Lake Tahoe Community College)

  • Integrated by Justin Marshall.


This page titled 3.4: Polynomials and Graphs is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Larry Green.

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