Chapter 2 Polynomial Functions
In Chapter 1, we studied functions of the form [latex]f(x) = b[/latex] (constant functions), [latex]f(x) = mx+b[/latex] with [latex]m \neq 0[/latex] (linear functions). We learned how to construct graphs, find zeros, describe behavior, and use the functions in each family to model real-world phenomena. One might wonder about functions of the form [latex]f(x) = ax^{2} + bx + c[/latex] and [latex]f(x) = ax^3+bx^2+cx+d[/latex], [latex]a \neq 0[/latex], or functions containing even higher powers of [latex]x[/latex]. These are the polynomial functions and are the subject of study in this chapter.[1] As you may recall, polynomials are the result of adding monomials, so we begin our study of polynomial functions with monomial functions.
- Here, we restrict our attention to polynomial functions which for us means one independent variable instead of expressions with more than one variable. ↵