MATH 10

Introduction to
Polynomial Functions
(Basic terms and Synthetic Division)
Objectives:
v Determine whether a given function is polynomial
or not
v Identify the degree, leading term, and leading
coefficient of a polynomial function
v Write a polynomial function in its
general form
 Schedule
Wed, November 29 Fri, December 1
Discussion HW due &
Practice Exercise

Thu, November 30 Mon, December 4

HW due & Seatwork
Discussion
Miriam Virtue in Focus: PEACE
We believe that we should be peace-builders.
We also believe that peace means the absence
of violence as well as the presence of values,
attitudes, behavior and ways of life based on
non-violence and respect for the fundamental
rights and freedom of every person.
Miriam Virtue in Focus: PEACE
We reject violence of every form and in every
social interaction and all institutions. We are
committed to work for creative and constructive
ways of solving conflict and to foster caring and
loving relationships among all human beings and
between humans and the rest of creation.
Miriam Virtue in Focus: PEACE

In a community, unity can lead to peace.

When individuals or groups come together
with a shared purpose and work
cooperatively, it can reduce conflict and
promote a peaceful environment.
Miriam Virtue in Focus: PEACE

This concept can be related to polynomials,

where each term plays a unique role. When
these terms work together, they form a
complete expression that can be used to
solve real-world problems.

How do you contribute to a peaceful

environment in our community?
 01
Introduction,
Basic Terms
What is a polynomial function?
What terms are associated with this function?
Why do we need to study this function?
 What is a Polynomial
Function?
A polynomial function, P(x), is a function of the form,
𝑃 𝑥 = 𝑎! 𝑥 ! + 𝑎!"# 𝑥 !"# + ⋯ + 𝑎$ 𝑥 $ + 𝑎# 𝑥 + 𝑎%
Note that the only variable in the function above is 𝒙.
where:
the exponents of the variable are whole numbers, and
the coefficients, an , an-1, …,a2, a1, a0 , are all real numbers.

Recall:
Whole numbers consist of zero and the positive integers.
 Which are polynomial functions?
& $
ü𝐹 𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 5𝑥 − 𝑥 +7 F(x) is a polynomial function.

1
û𝑘 '
𝑥 = −5𝑥 + 𝑥 "(
+
3
k(x) is NOT a polynomial function.
The variable in 𝑥 !" is raised to a
negative integer, –5.

).$ &
û 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 12 g(x) is NOT a polynomial function. The
variable in 𝑥 #.% is raised to 7.2 which is
not a whole no..
 Which are polynomial functions?

$ p(x) is a polynomial function.

ü 𝑝 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 3 5𝑥
6
û 𝐻 𝑥 = −
𝑥,
+ 2𝑥 &
+ 9𝑥 $ H(x) is NOT a polynomial function.
&
The term − ! can be expressed as
'
!(
− 6𝑥 , where the variable is
raised to a negative integer, –4.
( $
ü 𝐿 𝑥 = 2.3𝑥 + 𝑥 −𝑥 L(x) is a polynomial function.
To be clear…
Polynomial Functions Non-Polynomial Functions

𝐹 𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 5𝑥 ! − 𝑥 " + 7 1
𝑘 𝑥 = −5𝑥 $ + 𝑥 %#
+
𝑝 𝑥 = 2𝑥 " − 3 5𝑥 3
𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 &." − 5𝑥 ! + 12
𝐿 𝑥 = 2.3𝑥 # + 𝑥 " − 𝑥
6
Ø The exponent of the variable 𝐻 𝑥 = − ( + 2𝑥 ! + 9𝑥 "
in any term is a whole 𝑥
number.
Ø Numerical coefficients are real
numbers.
 Try This #1: Which are polynomial functions?
)
û𝐽 𝑥 = 𝑥" + 𝑥! − 15 J(x) is NOT a polynomial function. The variable
"
)
in 𝑥 is raised to a fractional exponent, .
#
*

ü 𝑚 𝑥 = π𝑥 + 7𝑥 " − 9 m(x) is a polynomial function. π is a real

number.

û𝑁 𝑥 = 3* N(x) is NOT a polynomial function. The

term 3' does not have a variable base and
an exponent that is a whole number. The
exponent is a variable.

1 correct answer = 1 recitation point J

 Try This #1: Which are polynomial functions?
2 %
ü𝑂 𝑥 = 11𝑥 " + #$ − 14
𝑥
O(x) is a polynomial function. The term '$#
can be expressed as 2𝑥 * . The variable here is
raised to a whole number, 3.

û𝑖 𝑥 = 4𝑥 " + 𝑥 − 2𝑥 i(x) is NOT a polynomial function. The term 𝑥

"
can be expressed as 𝑥 . The variable here is
%
)
raised to which is not a whole number.
%

ü𝑄 𝑥 =6 Q(x) is a polynomial function. The term 6 can

be expressed as 6𝑥 + . Observe that the
variable here is raised to a whole number, 0.
1 correct answer = 1 recitation point J
 What are the basic terms associated
with a polynomial function?
For this polynomial function,
𝑃 𝑥 = 𝑎! 𝑥 ! + 𝑎!"# 𝑥 !"# + ⋯ + 𝑎$ 𝑥 $ + 𝑎# 𝑥 + 𝑎%
𝒏 is the degree, The degree of a polynomial function is the highest power of the variable.
𝒂𝒏 𝒙𝒏 is the leading term, The leading term contains the degree of the polynomial.
𝒂𝒏 is the leading coefficient, The leading coefficient is the numerical
coefficient in the leading term.
and 𝒂𝟎 is the constant term. The constant term is a numerical term
on its own. It has a fixed value.
 Types of Polynomial Functions
*A polynomial
function is in
Degree Type * form*
General Example
general form
if its terms are
written in
descending
order of
powers of the
variable from
left to right.

Is f(x) = 0 a polynomial function?

Yes, it is. It is called the zero polynomial function. It has no degree.
Example 1: Given the polynomial function,
𝐹 𝑥 = 4𝑥 + 𝑥 # − 𝑥 $ + 7
Identify the following.
General Form: 𝑭 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟕
Degree: 𝟑
Leading Term: 𝒙𝟑
Leading Coefficient: 𝟏
Example 2: Given the polynomial function,
𝐹 𝑥 = 1 − 5𝑥 . + 𝑥 / − 2𝑥 0 − 10𝑥
Identify the following:
General Form: 𝑭 𝒙 = −𝟓𝒙𝟔 − 𝟐𝒙𝟓 + 𝒙𝟒 − 𝟏𝟎𝒙 +𝟏
Degree: 𝟔
Leading Term: −𝟓𝒙𝟔
Constant Term: 𝟏
Example 3: Given the polynomial function,
𝐹 𝑥 = 4𝑥 − 𝑥 '
Identify the following:
General Form: 𝑭 𝒙 = −𝑥 ' + 4𝑥
Degree: 𝟕
Leading Coefficient: −𝟏
Constant Term: 𝟎
If the constant term is not explicitly indicated
in the function, it means that its value is 0.
Try This #2: 1 correct answer = 1 recitation point J

Is the given a polynomial function or not?

2𝑥 & 𝑥 , Yes, G(x) is a
𝐺 𝑥 = + − 6 + 8𝑥 polynomial function.
3 7
Supply what is asked.
𝒙 𝟒 𝟐𝒙 𝟑
General Form: 𝑮 𝒙 = + + 𝟖𝒙 − 𝟔
𝟕 𝟑
Degree: 𝟒
𝒙𝟒
Leading Term:
𝟕 𝟏
Leading Coefficient:
𝟕
Try This #3: 1 correct answer = 1 recitation point J

Is the given a polynomial function or not?

&
2 No, H(x) is not a
𝐻 𝑥 = 𝑥 − ( + 13 polynomial function.
𝑥
Why is it not a polynomial function?
%
The term − & can be expressed as −2𝑥 !" .
'
The variable is raised to −5, a negative integer.
Try This #4: 1 correct answer = 1 recitation point J

Is the given a polynomial function or not?

𝑥$ Yes, P(x) is a
𝑃 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 11 + polynomial function.
4
Supply what is asked.
𝒙 𝟐
General Form: 𝑷 𝒙 = + 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟏
𝟒
Degree: 𝟐
𝟏
Leading Coefficient: 𝟒
Constant Term: −𝟏𝟏
Why study f(x) represents the height of a
portion of the track at a given
Polynomial Functions? distance x along the path.

We can use polynomial functions

to model some real-life
applications—one example of
which is on designing roller
coasters.
The given function (see illustration
on the right) models the path of a
portion of the track of a roller Click on the link to see more applications of
coaster. polynomial functions:
https://prezi.com/ozcnjnwvoe0_/the
-use-of-polynomial-functions-in-real-life/
So far, we learned about…
Polynomial Functions:
So far, we learned about…
Basic Terms associated with Polynomial Functions:
So far, we learned about…
Types of Polynomial Functions:
So far, we learned about…
Applications of Polynomial Functions:
Homework #8
Complete page 25 of your
workbook. We will check it
tomorrow, November 30.
 Thanks!

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