Summary: Review
Key Concepts
- A polynomial function is one whose equation contains only non-negative integer powers on the variable.
- The polynomial term containing the highest power on the variable is the leading term, and its degree is the number of the power. The leading coefficient of a polynomial is the coefficient of the leading term.
- The graph of a polynomial function describes a smooth, continuous curve.
- The domain of all polynomial functions is all real numbers.
- Even degree polynomial functions describe graphs whose ends both point up or both point down.
- Odd degree polynomial functions describe graphs whose ends points in opposite directions.
- The sign of the leading term will determine the direction of the ends of the graph:
- even degree and positive coefficient: both ends point up
- even degree and negative coefficient: both ends point down
- odd degree and positive coefficient: the left-most end points down and the right-most end points up.
- odd degree and negative coefficient: the left-most end points up and the right-most end points down.
Glossary
- degree
- the highest power of the polynomial
- leading coefficient
- the coefficient of the leading term
- leading term
- the term containing the highest power