Mathematics

Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

LESSON 8.1
Introduction to Polynomial Functions
Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Test Your Prerequisite Skills 2

DepEd Competency 3

Objectives 3

Warm-Up! 3

Learn about It! 4

Let’s Practice 8

Check Your Understanding 12

Key Points 14

Bibliography 14
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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

Lesson 8.1
Introduction to Polynomial Functions

Figure 1. Cylindrical Containers

Introduction
In the previous lessons, you have learned that real life situations can be illustrated using
functions. For instance, the length of an object can be illustrated using a linear function while
the area of a plane figure such as a circle or a rectangle can be represented using a quadratic
function. How about if you are going to illustrate a volume or a surface area? What kind of
function are you going to use?

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

In this scenario, you can use more complex kind of functions, such as a cubic function. The
different kinds of functions that you can use in illustrating real life situations are called
polynomial functions.

In this lesson, you will learn about polynomial function and how it is used in real life situations.

Test Your Prerequisite Skills

Before you get started, answer the following items on a separate sheet of paper. This will
help you assess your prior knowledge and practice some skills that you will need in studying
this lesson. Show your complete solution.

1. Simplify the following expressions.

a. 𝑥 3 ∙ 𝑥 6
b. (𝑘 7 )(𝑚3 )(𝑘 5 )(𝑚8 )
c. 5𝑛4 ∙ (−4𝑛5 )
d. 7𝑓 2 + 2𝑓 − 5𝑓 2 + 6
e. (5ℎ + 3𝑔) − (2ℎ + 7𝑔)

2. Evaluate the following algebraic expressions.

a. 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1 ; 𝑥=1
b. 𝑥 2 𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 2 ; 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = −1
c. 3.2𝑥 2 − 9.8𝑥 + 6.4 ; 𝑥=3
d. 4𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 2 ; 𝑥 = −1
e. 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 ; 𝑥 = 1.5

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

DepEd Competency
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to illustrate polynomial functions
(M10AL-IIa-1).

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Properly identify polynomial functions.

● Correctly evaluate a polynomial function at a specified value of the

variable.

● Correctly find the domain and range of a polynomial function.

Warm-Up!

Box It!

Materials
● used folder
● ruler
● pencil
● a pair of scissors
● adhesive tape

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

Instructions:
1. You may work individually or in pairs.
2. On one clean side of your folder, cut out a rectangular piece
6 inches long and 6 inches wide.
3. Draw a grid with each grid box measuring 1 inch on each
side.
4. From each corner, cut 1 square.
5. Fold the sides along the 1-inch mark where you cut.
6. Put adhesive tapes to attach two adjacent “walls” of your box.
7. What is the area of the base of your box? What is the total surface area of your
box? Can you solve for the maximum volume that your box can hold?

Learn about It!

The floor area 𝐴 of your box is the square of the length of one of its sides, 𝑠. The formula is
𝑨 = 𝒔𝟐 .

Base area = 4 inches × 4 inches

= 𝟏𝟔 𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

Meanwhile, the total surface area 𝑆𝐴 is equal to the area of the base plus the areas of the
sides. There are four sides with the same areas equal to one times the length of the side of
the base. The formula is 𝑆𝐴 = 𝑠 2 + 4(1 ⋅ 𝑠).

Surface area = 42 + 4(1 ⋅ 4)

= 16 + 16
= 𝟑𝟐 𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬

Finally, the volume 𝑉 of the box is equal to the area of the base times the height, which in this
case is 1 inch. The formula is 𝑉 = 𝑠 2 ∙ 1.

Volume = s 2 ⋅ 1
= 42 ⋅ 1
= 16

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

The formulas for finding the area, surface area, and the volume of the box that you made in
your activity are some examples of polynomial functions.

Definition 1.1: A polynomial function is a function of the

form 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + ⋯ + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0 ,
where 𝑛 is a nonnegative integer known as the
degree of the polynomial, 𝑎𝑛 ≠ 0, and 𝑎0 , 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 ,
…, 𝑎𝑛 are real numbers.

The term 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 is called the leading term of the polynomial while the term 𝑎0 is called the
constant term. A polynomial function that is written with exponents in descending order is
said to be in standard form.

For example, the polynomial function 𝑃(𝑥) = 3𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6 is in standard form since the
exponents are in descending order. The term 3𝑥 3 is the leading term and 6 is the constant
term.

Essential Questions
How will you identify polynomial functions?

The following table contains some polynomial functions with their respective degrees.

Example of a Polynomial Function Degree Name

𝑓(𝑥) = 2 0 Constant function
𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 − 1 1 Linear function

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 14 2 Quadratic function

𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 3 − 16𝑥 + 2 3 Cubic function
Polynomial function of
𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 6 + 2𝑥 5 − 3𝑥 4 + 12𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 7 6
degree 6

Domain and Range of a Polynomial Function

The domain of all polynomial functions is the set of all real numbers. This is because the
values inside a polynomial function are joined together by addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and exponentiation. The range of a polynomial function depends on the
limiting behavior of the polynomial function, and its minimum and maximum values. In this
unit, we will not cover how to solve for the exact values of the minimum and maximum of
polynomial functions since this concept requires the use of Calculus. However, we can
illustrate the minimum and maximum values by graphing, which will be discussed in future
lessons.

Essential Questions
How will you find the domain and range of a polynomial function?

Limiting Behavior of a Polynomial Function

The limiting behavior of a polynomial function describes what happens to the function as 𝑥
approaches positive or negative infinity. It is determined by the parity (the property of being
odd or even) of the degree of the polynomial, as well as the sign of its leading term.

The following table summarizes the limiting behavior of polynomials (except for constant
functions):

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

Parity of the degree of Sign of the leading term of 𝑷(𝒙)

𝑷(𝒙) + −
Even 𝑃(𝑥) → ∞ as 𝑥 → ±∞ 𝑃(𝑥) → −∞ as 𝑥 → ±∞
𝑃(𝑥) → ∞ as 𝑥 → ∞ 𝑃(𝑥) → −∞ as 𝑥 → ∞
Odd
𝑃(𝑥) → −∞ as 𝑥 → −∞ 𝑃(𝑥) → ∞ as 𝑥 → −∞

With the parity in mind, the range of a polynomial with an odd degree is the set of all real
numbers. The range of a polynomial with even degree is limited by the minimum or the
maximum value.

Let’s Practice
Example 1
Which of the following are polynomial functions?
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 0
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 1
1
c. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 1

d. 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 1
e. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 3 (𝑥 + 1)2

Solution:
a. The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 is a polynomial function by convention. Its degree is
undefined. This function is called the zero polynomial function.
b. The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 is a constant function and a polynomial function of degree
0. All constant functions are polynomial functions.

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c. The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 1 is not a polynomial function because it contains

a variable in the denominator.

d. The function 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 1 is not a polynomial function because it contains a
variable within a radical sign.
e. Expanding 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 3 (𝑥 + 1)2 results in 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 5 + 4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 3 which is a polynomial
function of degree 5.

Try It Yourself!
Which of the following are polynomial functions?
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 7
1
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 4 𝑥 + 5

c.
3
𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 4
1 3
d. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 5)

Example 2
Evaluate 𝑃(𝑥) = 2𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 + 12 at 𝑥 = 2.

Solution:
Like all other types of equations, you evaluate polynomial functions by substituting the given
value into the function and simplify it. In this case, let us substitute 𝑥 = 2 into the function.

𝑃(𝑥) = 2𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 + 12
𝑃(2) = 2(2)4 − (2)3 − 4(2) + 12
= 32 − 8 − 8 + 12
= 28

Therefore, the value of 𝑃(𝑥) at 𝑥 = 2 is 28.

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Try It Yourself!
What is the value of 𝑓(𝑥) at 𝑥 = 3 if 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 4?

Example 3
Find the domain and range of the polynomial function 𝑃(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 1.

Solution:
The given polynomial is a quadratic function since its degree is 2. Note that in any polynomial
functions—including quadratic functions—the domain is the set of all real numbers.

In 𝑃(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 1, it follows that 𝑎 = 3, 𝑏 = −2, and 𝑐 = −1. Since 𝑎 is positive, it follows

that its graph opens upward, and as such, the function has a minimum value. To determine
the minimum value of the function, we can solve for the 𝑦-value of the vertex, which is 𝑘.

4𝑎𝑐−𝑏2
The formula for 𝑘 is 𝑘 = . Let us solve for 𝑘 with 𝑎 = 3, 𝑏 = −2, and 𝑐 = −1.
4𝑎

4𝑎𝑐 − 𝑏 2
𝑘=
4𝑎
4(3)(−1) − (−2)2
𝑘=
4(3)
16
𝑘=−
12
4
𝑘=−
3

Since the polynomial has an even degree and the leading term is positive, the range
𝟒
is [− 𝟑 , ∞). The domain is the set of all real numbers.

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

Try It Yourself!
Find the domain and the range of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 1.

Real-World Problems
Example 4
A company calculates its expected profit as a function of the quantity of
the items it can sell. How much is the expected profit if the company’s
profit function is 𝑃(𝑞) = 𝑞 3 − 2000𝑞 + 500 and their current sales quantity,
𝑞 is 60?

Solution:
Step 1: Identify what is asked.

How much is the company’s expected profit?

Step 2: Review what are given.

The company’s profit function is 𝑃(𝑞) = 𝑞 3 − 2000𝑞 + 500. Their current sales
quantity 𝑞 is 60.

Step 3: Analyze the action to be performed.

The problem requires you to evaluate the function 𝑃(𝑞) = 𝑞 3 − 2000𝑞 + 500 at
𝑞 = 60.

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

Step 4: Solve.

𝑃(𝑞) = 𝑞 3 − 2000𝑞 + 500

𝑃(60) = (60)3 − 2000(60) + 500
= 216 000 − 120 000 + 500
= 96 500

Therefore, the company’s expected profit is ₱𝟗𝟔 𝟓𝟎𝟎.

Try It Yourself!
The area of a certain garden plot, in square meters, is given by the function
𝐴(𝑠) = −𝑠 2 + 100𝑠. What is the area of the plot if its side measures 50 meters?

Check Your Understanding

A. Identify if the given functions are polynomial functions or not.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 8 + 1
3 3𝑤
2. 𝑡(𝑤) = +
4𝑤 2

3. 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 5
4. ℎ(𝑐) = 4𝑐 + 5
5. 𝑚(𝑘) = 0
6. 𝑔(𝑠) = √𝑠 5 + 3𝑠 3 − 4𝑠
4

(𝑟 + 2)(2𝑟 + 1)
7. 𝑝(𝑟) =
4

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

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8. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 𝑥 −4

9. ℎ(𝑣) = (3𝑣 5 + 2)(𝑣 3 − 4)

10. 𝑓(𝑥) = 0.2𝑥 6 + 1.5𝑥 5 − 0.4𝑥 3 + 2.1𝑥 + 0.9

B. Evaluate the given polynomial functions for 𝑥 = −2, 𝑛 = 5, or 𝑝 = 0.4.

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 7
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 10
1 7
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 𝑥 2 + 4 𝑥 + 2

4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 1.4𝑥 4 − 13.7

5. 𝑚(𝑛) = 3𝑛2 − 8𝑛 − 5
2
6. 𝑚(𝑛) = 𝑛 + 3
5
−𝑛3
7. 𝑚(𝑛) = 40

8. 𝑚(𝑛) = 10 − 2.4𝑛 + 3.6𝑛2

9. 𝑘(𝑝) = 1000𝑝4
10. 𝑘(𝑝) = (20𝑝 + 1)(30𝑝 + 5)

C. Find the domain and range of each polynomial.

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = −8
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 5
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 8
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 2
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 7

D. Analyze and solve the problem below.

1. The cost of manufacturing 𝑥 units of mobile phones is given by the function
𝑓(𝑥) = 200𝑥 2 − 5 000𝑥 + 100 000. How much is the total manufacturing cost of 100
units of mobile phones?

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

Key Points

• A polynomial function is a function that can be written in the form 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 +

𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + ⋯ + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0 , where 𝑛 (the highest exponent of the variable) is a nonnegative
integer known as the degree of the polynomial and 𝑎𝑛 , 𝑎𝑛−1 , … , 𝑎0 (the coefficients of the
variable) are real numbers.
o The term 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 , where 𝑎𝑛 is the leading coefficient, is the leading term of
the polynomial function while 𝑎0 is the constant term.
• A polynomial function is in standard form if it is written in descending powers of the
independent variable.
• The domain of a polynomial function is the set of admissible 𝑥-values of the
polynomial function. The domain of any polynomial function is the set of real numbers.
• The range of a polynomial function is the set of admissible 𝑦-values of the polynomial
function. While the domain of any polynomial function is the set of real numbers, the
range depends on the degree and the sign of the leading coefficient.

Bibliography

“Basic knowledge of polynomial functions.” Math Planet. Retrieved 26 April 2019 from
https://bit.ly/2L1JksL

Khan, Salman. “Even & odd polynomials.” Khan Academy. Retrieved 26 April 2019 from
https://bit.ly/2VpU7Rp

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Grade 10 • Unit 8: Polynomial Functions

Sousa, James. “Read: Define and Identify Polynomial Functions.” Lumen Learning. Retrieved
26 April 2019 from https://bit.ly/2IWkRTa

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