Algebra II Workbook For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 7

Plugging In Polynomials

In This Chapter

Locating the intercepts in polynomials

Figuring out where a polynomial function changes signs

Assembling all the information you need to graph a polynomial curve

Looking for roots with clues from Descartes — and others

Doing division synthetically and taking other shortcuts

Building up polynomials from their roots

A polynomial function is a well-mannered function with nice, predictable habits. The graph of a polynomial function is always a smooth curve with no abrupt changes in direction or shape. The equation of a polynomial function has only whole-number exponents on the variables.

A polynomial function has the form f(x) = a_nxⁿ + a_n–1x^n–1 + a_n–2x^n–2+ · · · + a₁x¹ + a₀x⁰, where n is a whole number and any a_n–i is a real number. The ...