MATH

Polynomial
Polynomial Function Definition

A polynomial function is a function that can be expressed in the form of a
polynomial. The definition can be derived from the definition of a
polynomial function. A polynomial is generally represented as P(x). The
highest power of the variable of P(x) is known as its degree. Degree of a
polynomial function is very important as it tells us about the behaviour of
the function P(x) when x becomes very large. The domain of a polynomial
function is entire real numbers (R).
Polynomial Function Examples
A polynomial function has only positive
integers as exponents. We can even
perform different types of arithmetic
operations for such functions like
addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division.
Some of the examples of polynomial functions are here:
x2+2x+1
3x-7
7x3+x2-2
All three expressions above are polynomial since all of the
variables have positive integer exponents. But expressions
like;
5x-1+1
4x1/2+3x+1
(9x +1) ÷ (x)
are not polynomials, we cannot consider negative integer
exponents or fraction exponent or division here.
Types of Polynomial Functions
There are various types of polynomial functions based
on the degree of the polynomial. The most common
types are:
Constant Polynomial Function: P(x) = a = ax0
Zero Polynomial Function: P(x) = 0; where all ai’s are
zero, i = 0, 1, 2, 3, …, n.
Linear Polynomial Function: P(x) = ax + b
Quadratic Polynomial Function: P(x) = ax2+bx+c
Cubic Polynomial Function: ax3+bx2+cx+d
Quartic Polynomial Function: ax4+bx3+cx2+dx+e
Graphs of Polynomial Functions
The graph of P(x) depends upon its
degree. A polynomial having one variable
which has the largest exponent is called a
degree of the polynomial.
Let us look at P(x) with different degrees.
Constant Polynomial Function
Degree 0 (Constant Functions)
Standard form: P(x) = a = a.x0, where a is a constant.
Graph: A horizontal line indicates that the output of
the function is constant. It doesn’t depend on the
input.E.g. y = 4
Zero Polynomial Function
A constant polynomial function whose value is zero. In other
words, zero polynomial function maps every real number to zero,
f: R → {0} defined by f(x) = 0 ∀ x ∈ R. For example, let f be an
additive inverse function, that is, f(x) = x + ( – x) is zero
polynomial function.
Linear Polynomial Functions
Degree 1, Linear Functions
Standard form: P(x) = ax + b, where a and b are
constants. It forms a straight line.
Graph: Linear functions have one dependent variable
and one independent which are x and y, respectively.
In the standard formula for degree 1, a represents the
slope of a line, the constant b represents the y-
intercept of a line.
E.g., y = 2x+3
Quadratic Polynomial Functions
Degree 2, Quadratic Functions
Standard form: P(x) = ax2+bx+c , where a, b and c are constant.

Graph: A parabola is a curve with one extreme point called the vertex. A
parabola is a mirror-symmetric curve where any point is at an equal distance
from a fixed point known as Focus.
In the standard form, the constant ‘a’ represents the wideness of the parabola.
As ‘a’ decreases, the wideness of the parabola increases. This can be visualized
by considering the boundary case when a=0, the parabola becomes a straight
line. The constant c represents the y-intercept of the parabola. The vertex of
the parabola is given by
(h,k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a)
where D is the discriminant and is equal to (b2-4ac).

If a > 0, the parabola faces upward.
If a < 0, the parabola faces downwards.
E.g. y = x2+2x-3 (shown in black color)
y = -x2-2x+3 (shown in blue color)
Graphs of Higher Degree Polynomial
Functions
Standard form– P(x) = an xn + an-1 xn-1+.……….…+ a0, where a0,a1,………,an
are all constants.
Graph: Depends on the degree, if P(x) has degree n, then any straight line can
intersect it at a maximum of n points. The constant term in the polynomial
expression, i.e. a0 here represents the y-intercept.
E.g. y = x4-2x2+x-2, any straight line can intersect it at a maximum of 4 points
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Polynomial

Polynomial Function Definition

Standard form: P(x) = ax2+bx+c , where a, b and c are constant.

(h,k) = (-b/2a, -D/4a)

where D is the discriminant and is equal to (b2-4ac).

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