Notes: (Topic 1.

1) Change in Tandem

A _______________ is a mathematical relation that maps a set of input values to a set of output values such that each
input value is mapped to exactly ___ output value.

Note: In previous courses, you may have used the “Vertical Line Test” to determine if a graph is a function or not. Later
in this course, we will learn that this test does not always work!

The set of input values of a function is called the ______________, represented by the ___________________ variable.

The set of output values of a function is called the ____________, represented by the __________________ variable.

Example 1: Sketch a graph for −4 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4 for the function rules below.

a) The function 𝑓 halves each b)

input value and then adds 1.

Graphical Behavior of Functions

Increasing Decreasing Concave Up Concave Down
As the input values As the input values
increase, the output values increase, the output values The rate of change is The rate of change is
always increase: If 𝑎 < 𝑏, always decrease: If 𝑎 < 𝑏, increasing. decreasing.
then 𝑓(𝑎) < 𝑓(𝑏). then 𝑓(𝑎) > 𝑓(𝑏).

Notes: Topic 1.1 Change in Tandem Created by Bryan Passwater

Example 2: The graph of ℎ(𝑥) is shown above. Use the graph of ℎ to find the open intervals where ℎ has the following
behaviors.

a) ℎ is increasing b) ℎ is decreasing c) ℎ is concave up

d) ℎ is both increasing and concave down e) ℎ is both decreasing and concave up

Example 3: The graph of 𝑘 is increasing on the intervals (−4, 1) and (5, 7), and 𝑘 is decreasing on the interval (1, 5).
Additionally, the graph of 𝑘 is concave up on the interval (3, 6) and concave down on the intervals (−4, 3) and (6, 7).
Sketch a graph of 𝑘(𝑥) below.

Notes: Topic 1.1 Change in Tandem Created by Bryan Passwater

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: (Topic 1.2) Rates of Change

The 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 between any two points on a graph of 𝑓(𝑥) is the _________ through those points.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞

𝑦2 − 𝑦1
Average Rate of Change (AROC) =
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
1. Find the ________________ of the function for the given interval.

2. Find the ___________ between these two points.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟏: Find the average rate of change of the following functions on the given intervals.
𝑥+1
a. 𝑓 (𝑥) = −𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 on [−2, −1] b. ℎ(𝑥) = on [1, 4]
𝑥+6

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟐: The graph of 𝑔(𝑥) is shown below. Find the average rate of change of 𝑔 (𝑥) over the interval [−1,3].

𝑡 (year of birth) 1850 1900 1950 2000

𝐴(𝑡) (age in years) 46.10 53.63 70.65 81.83

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟑: The table above lists the life expectancy of US females born in a given year. Find the average rate of
change in the life expectancy of US females born from 1850 to 2000. Include units of measure.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.2 Rates of Change Created by Bryan Passwater

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞? ? ?

The idea of instantaneous rate of change is equivlalent to finding the rate of change of a function at a given point.
This concept is developed formally and used in calculus, but we can approximate the rate of change at a point by
using the ______________ _________ ___ _______________ over ___________ ________________.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟒: A ball is thrown vertically in the air. For 0 < 𝑡 < 5, the height of the ball is modeled by the function
ℎ (𝑡) = −4.9𝑡 2 + 25𝑡 + 5, where ℎ is measured in meters and 𝑡 is measured in seconds. Find the average rate of
change in the height of the ball over the following intervals. Include units of measure.

a) [1, 1.1] b) [1, 1.01] c) [1, 1.001] d) [0.999, 1]

Based on 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟒, what do you think is the true rate of change in height of the ball at time 𝑡 = 1 second?

The rate of change of a function at a particular point is the rate that the y -values would change if the x-values
changed at that point. This concept is what we will call instantaneous rate of change later in calculus.

While we cannot find the rate of change at a particular point in AP Precalculus, we can do the following two things:

1. We can ______________________ the rate of change at a point by finding the average rate of change over a very
small interval.

2. We can ________________ rates of change at two different points by estimating individual rates of change using the
concept of a tangent line.

Note: When we discuss the rate of change of a function, we are essentially discussing the slope of the graph.

If the graph of f has a positive rate of change, then the graph of f is increasing. Likewise, if the graph of f has a
negative rate of change, then the graph of f is decreasing.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.2 Rates of Change Created by Bryan Passwater

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟓: For each scenario below, determine whether the two quantities typically have a positive rate of change
or a negative rate of change.

a) A child’s age versus the child’s b) A golfer’s skill level versus the c) The height from the ground of
height. golfer’s score. a coin dropped off the Burj
Kalifa versus the speed of the
coin as it falls.

Estimating Rates of Change at a Point

The graph of f is shown above along with the line ________________ to f when x = −4 . In calculus, we will learn
that the slope of the line tangent to the graph of f at any given point is the true rate of change of f at that point.

While we cannot find this slope in AP Precalculus exactly, we can sketch the tangent line and estimate the rate of change.

Example 6: Estimate the rate of change of f at x = −4 using the slope of the line tangent to f at x = −4 .

Example 7: Sketch the tangent lines to f at the five points indicated on the graph above.

Example 8: Does the graph of f appear to have a greater rate of change at x = 4 or x = 5 ? Explain your reasoning.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.2 Rates of Change Created by Bryan Passwater

Rates of Change and Graphical Behavior

Connecting Rates of Change of f with the Graph of f

If the rate of change of f is positive the graph of f is increasing

If the rate of change of f is negative the graph of f is decreasing

If the rate of change of f is increasing the graph of f is concave up

If the rate of change of f is decreasing the graph of f is concave down

Example 9: The graph of f is shown above. Complete the blanks below to correctly describe the graph of f and the
rate of change of f .

The graph of f is _____________________ and concave ___________ because the rate of change of f is

___________________ and the rate of change of f is ______________________.

Be careful when answering questions about graphical behavior! Pay close attention to the wording of each statement—does
it refer to the graph of f or the rate of change of f ?

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.2 Rates of Change Created by Bryan Passwater

Example 10: For each of the following graphs, circle the correct descriptions for the behavior of each graph .

The graph of f is… The rate of change of f is…

positive/negative positive/negative

The graph of f is… The rate of change of f is…

increasing/decreasing increasing/decreasing

The graph of g is… The rate of change of g is…

positive/negative positive/negative

The graph of g is… The rate of change of g is…

increasing/decreasing increasing/decreasing

The graph of h is… The rate of change of h is…

positive/negative positive/negative

The graph of h is… The rate of change of h is…

increasing/decreasing increasing/decreasing

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.2 Rates of Change Created by Bryan Passwater

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: (Topic 1.3) Rates of Change in Linear and Quadratic Functions

𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
For any linear function, the average rate of change over
any length input − value interval is constant.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: We often think of this as the _________

of the line.

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)

1 4
2 7
4 10
8 13

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟏: The table above gives selected values of the function 𝑓(𝑥). Explain why 𝑓(𝑥) is not a linear function.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟐: Consider the quadratic function 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! . Complete the table of values for 𝑔(𝑥) over the
consecutive equal length input value intervals below. Then complete the table for the average rates of change of 𝑔(𝑥)
for each consecutive interval of equal length input values.

𝑥 𝑔(𝑥) Avg. rate

Interval
of change
−3
[−3, − 1]
−1
[−1, 1]
1
[1, 3]
3

5 [3, 5]

What do you notice about the average rates of change of 𝑔(𝑥) over consecutive equal length input intervals?

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.3 Rates of Change: Linear and Quadratic Functions Created by Bryan Passwater
𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟑: Selected values of various functions are given in the tables below. For each table, determine if the
function could be linear, quadratic, or neither.
a) b) c)

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥 ℎ(𝑥)

1 0 1 0 1 −1

2 1 2 1 3 1

3 4 5 4 5 2

4 9 10 9 7 2

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐔𝐩: The average rate of change over equal length input value intervals is ___________________
for all small length intervals.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧: The average rate of change over equal length input value intervals is __________________
for all small length intervals.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: We often think of this as the _________

of the line.
𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟒: Selected values of the functions 𝑘, 𝑚, and 𝑝 are given in the tables below. For each function,
determine if the function could be concave up, concave down, or neither over its domain.

a) b) c)

𝑥 𝑘(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑚(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑝(𝑥)

1 4 1 1 1 1

1.1 1 1.1 4 1.1 7

1.2 −1 1.2 7 1.2 11

1.3 −2 1.3 10 1.3 13

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.3 Rates of Change: Linear and Quadratic Functions Created by Bryan Passwater
𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: (Topic 1.4) Polynomial Functions and Rates of Change

𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
A polynomial function is any function representation equivalent to the analytical form:
𝑝(𝑥) = 𝑎# 𝑥 # + 𝑎#$% 𝑥 #$% + 𝑎#$& 𝑥 #$& + ⋯ + 𝑎& 𝑥 & + 𝑎% 𝑥 + 𝑎' ,
where 𝑛 is a positive integer, 𝑎( is a real number for each 𝑖 from 1 to 𝑛, and 𝑎# is nonzero.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦: ________ 𝐃𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞: _______ 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭: ______

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: We often think of this as the _________

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟏: Find the leading coefficient and degree of the following polynomial functions.
of the line.
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 − 7 b) 𝑦 = 12𝑥 − 7𝑥 " + 11 c) 𝑔(𝑥) = 4

Leading Coefficient: _____ Leading Coefficient: _____ Leading Coefficient: _____

Degree: _____ Degree: _____ Degree: _____

𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚
The extrema of a graph are the minimums and maximums of a function. There are ____ types of extrema.

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚 (𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥) 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚 (𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥)

A polynomial has a relative minimum or relative

Of all local maxima, the greatest is called the absolute
maximum where the polynomial switches between
maximum. The least of all local minima is called the
decreasing and increasing (or at an endpoint if the
absolute minimum.
polynomial has a restricted domain) .

Local minimums at 𝑥 = _________________ Absolute maximum = ______at 𝑥 = _________

Local maximums at 𝑥 = _________________ Absolute minimum = ______at 𝑥 = _________

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.4 Rates of Change: Polynomial Functions Created by Bryan Passwater
𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟐: Find and classify each type of extrema for the functions below or write N⁄A .
a)

Relative Minimum at 𝑥 =_________

Relative Maximum at 𝑥 =_________

Absolute Minimum =________ at 𝑥 =_____

Absolute Maximum =________ at 𝑥 =_____

b) c)

Relative Minimum at 𝑥 =_________ Relative Minimum at 𝑥 =_________

Relative Maximum at 𝑥 =_________ Relative Maximum at 𝑥 =_________

Absolute Minimum =________ at 𝑥 =_____ Absolute Minimum =________ at 𝑥 =_____

Absolute Maximum =________ at 𝑥 =_____ Absolute Maximum =________ at 𝑥 =_____

𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬

1. Between 2 real zeros of a polynomial, there must be at least one ___________ ________________
or __________ _______________.

2. Polynomials of ________ degree must have either a _____________ _________________

or a _____________ __________________.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.4 Rates of Change: Polynomial Functions Created by Bryan Passwater
𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
A 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 occurs when a function changes from concave up to concave down or from concave down to
concave up.
At a point of inflection, the rate of change of a function changes from increasing to decreasing or from decreasing
to increasing.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟑: The graph of 𝑔(𝑥) is shown in the figure above. Use the graph of 𝑔 to answer the following.
a) Find any values of 𝑥 where 𝑔 has a point of inflection.

b) For each of the following intervals, determine if the rate of change of 𝑔 is increasing or decreasing. Explain
your reasoning for each answer using features of the graph of 𝑔(𝑥).

i. (3, 4) ii. (−4, −3) iii. (−1, 1) iv. (1, 2)

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟒: For 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 3, the number of cars in a parking lot at time 𝑡 hours can be modeled by the function
𝐶(𝑡) = −1.37𝑡 ) + 4.218𝑡 ! − 0.357𝑡 & + 3. Based on this model, at what time 𝑡 does the number of cars in the
parking lot change from increasing to decreasing?

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.4 Rates of Change: Polynomial Functions Created by Bryan Passwater
𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: (Topic 1.5) Polynomial Functions and Complex Zeros

𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Given a polynomial function 𝑝(𝑥), if 𝑝(𝑎) = 0, then 𝑎 is a zero or root of 𝑝(𝑥).
If 𝑎 is a real number, then if 𝑥 = 𝑎 is a zero of 𝑝, then (𝑥 − 𝑎) is a linear factor of 𝑝.

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬 (𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲)

If a linear factor (𝑥 − 𝑎) is repeated 𝑛 times, the corresponding zero of the polynomial has a multiplicity 𝑛.

Typically, we know that the graph of a polynomial passes ________ the zeros on the graph. However, when a zero
has a multiplicity greater than 1, the graph will behave differently near the zero.

The function 𝑦 = −.01(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 + 1)! (𝑥 − 3)" is graphed to the right.

Notice the behavior around the zeros of the function.

𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲

The multiplicity of a zero is the __________ of its factor.

We can include the multiplicity when we list the zeros:
𝑥 = −4, 𝑥 = −1 (mult. 3), 𝑥 = 3 (mult. 2)

At 𝑥 = 3, the multiplicity is 2. The graph of the polynomial is tangent

to the 𝑥 axis (the graph bounces off the 𝑥 axis).
The graph of a polyomial will always be tangent to the 𝑥 axis at any zero with an 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 multiplicity.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟏: For each of the following polynomials, determine the degree of the polynomial, find all real zeros, and
state the multiplicity for each zero.

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥 ! (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 4)" b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 3(𝑥 " − 4)(𝑥 − 2)# c) 𝑦 = (𝑥 ! − 𝑥 " − 6𝑥)(𝑥 " − 7𝑥 + 12)

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬
Some polynomials have roots that contain an imaginary number.
This means you will ______ see them on the graph.
The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 " + 1 is shown to the right.
To find the zeros of 𝑓(𝑥), we set 𝑥 " + 1 = 0.
𝑥 " = −1
𝑥 = ±√−1 = ±𝑖

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.5 Polynomial Functions and Complex Zeros Created by Bryan Passwater
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: All imaginary roots come in _________. If 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 is a root of 𝑓(𝑥), then so is ___________.
These are called 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟐: Determine the conjugate of the following complex numbers.

a. 4𝑖 b. −𝑖 c. 2 − 3𝑖 d. −4 + 2𝑖

𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐠𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚

A polynomial of degree 𝑛 has exactly 𝑛 complex zeros when counting multiplicities.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟑: The graph of the polynomial function 𝑓(𝑥) is shown in the figure above. It is known that 𝑥 = 𝑖√3 is
a zero of 𝑓. If 𝑓 has degree 𝑛, what is the least possible value of 𝑛?

𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫
When we write “𝑓(𝑥)”, we are referring to the ___-value on
the graph of 𝑓(𝑥).
𝑓(𝑥) > 0 means the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) is _________ the __-axis
𝑓(𝑥) < 0 means the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) is _________ the __-axis

Consider the function 𝑓(𝑥) above.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟒:
a) Where does 𝑓(𝑥) = 0? b) Where is 𝑓(𝑥) > 0? c) Where is 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 0?

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.5 Polynomial Functions and Complex Zeros Created by Bryan Passwater
 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 (𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬)
1. Solve 𝑓(𝑥) = 0.
2. Create a 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭 with the solutions from Step 1.
3. 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 in each interval to see if the values in the interval are ______ or ______.

4. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭 the sign chart to answer the given inequality from the problem.

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: Be sure to write your answer in 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and think about the 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬!

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟓: Solve (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 4) > 0 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟔: Solve (𝑥 + 2)" (𝑥 − 5) ≤ 0

𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬

If given a table of values with equal width input intervals, we can determine the degree of a polynomial by examining
successive differences in the output values. The number of successive differences needed for the differences to be
constant is equal to the degree 𝑛 of the polynomial.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟕: Determine the degree of the polynomials represented in the tables below.
a) b)
𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 𝑔(𝑥)
1 −2 0 −2
3 −3 3 0
5 −1 6 10
7 4 9 27
9 12 12 50

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.5 Polynomial Functions and Complex Zeros Created by Bryan Passwater
𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐝𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐝𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

An even function is symmetric over the 𝑦 axis. An odd function is symmetric about the origin.
𝑓(−𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑔(−𝑥) = −𝑔(𝑥)

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 # − 8𝑥 " + 1 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! − 9𝑥

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟖: Determine if the following polynomials are even, odd, or neither.

a) ℎ(𝑥) = 2𝑥 # − 𝑥 " + 5 b) 𝑘(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! + 3𝑥 − 1

c) d)

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.5 Polynomial Functions and Complex Zeros Created by Bryan Passwater
𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: (Topic 1.6) Polynomial Functions and End Behavior

𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫: The end behavior of a function describes how a function _____________ as it moves infinitely
to the right and left.

In other words, the end behavior is what happens to the values of _____ as 𝑥 increases or decreases without
bound.

𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝐋𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫: lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫: lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥→∞

As the 𝑥 values decrease without bound, As the 𝑥 values increase without bound,
the 𝑦 values of 𝑓(𝑥) … the 𝑦 values of 𝑓(𝑥) …

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟏: Describe the end behavior of the following polynomials verbally and using limit notation.
a) b)

Left Behavior Verbally: Left Behavior Verbally:

Left Behavior Limit Statement: Left Behavior Limit Statement:

Right Behavior Verbally: Right Behavior Verbally:

Right Behavior Limit Statement: Right Behavior Limit Statement:

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.6 Polynomial Functions and End Behavior Created by Bryan Passwater
𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟐: Sketch a polynomial function with the following end behaviors.
a) lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞ b) lim 𝑔(𝑥) = −∞
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥→−∞

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞ lim 𝑔(𝑥) = +∞

𝑥→∞ 𝑥→∞

𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫

For polynomial equations, it is easiest to find the end behavior of the ____________ side first.

The 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 side:

1. Goes _________ if the leading coefficient is __________________.

2. Goes _________ if the leading coefficient is __________________.

The 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓 side:

1. Goes in the _________________ direction as the right if the degree is __________.
2. Goes in the _________________ direction as the right if the degree is __________.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟑: Determine the end behavior for the following polynomials. Limit notation is not necessary.
1
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 5 b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 c) 𝑦 = −2(𝑥 + 3)6
2
L: R: L: R: L: R:

d) ℎ(𝑥) = 3 − 𝑥 5 e) 𝑘(𝑥) = 8𝑥 2 + 4 − 𝑥 5 f) 𝑚(𝑥) = 2𝑥(𝑥 − 1)(6 − 𝑥)

L: R: L: R: L: R

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.6 Polynomial Functions and End Behavior Created by Bryan Passwater
𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟒: Write limit statements for the end behavior of the following polynomials.

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 4 b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 5𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 7

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟓: Use a graphing calculator to determine the end behavior for the following functions.
2𝑥 − 3 10
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1 b) 𝑔(𝑥) = c) ℎ(𝑥) = −
𝑥+1 𝑥2

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: Topic 1.6 Polynomial Functions and End Behavior Created by Bryan Passwater