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What is the general form of a polynomial function?

f(x)=anxn+an1xn1+...+a1x+a0f(x) = a_nx^n + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + ... + a_1x + a_0

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What is the general form of a polynomial function?

f(x)=anxn+an1xn1+...+a1x+a0f(x) = a_nx^n + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + ... + a_1x + a_0

What is the general form of a rational function?

f(x)=p(x)q(x)f(x) = \frac{p(x)}{q(x)}, where p(x)p(x) and q(x)q(x) are polynomials.

How to find the average rate of change of a function f(x)f(x) over the interval [a,b][a, b]?

f(b)f(a)ba\frac{f(b) - f(a)}{b - a}

What is the formula for slope (rate of change) of a linear function?

m=y2y1x2x1m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}

How do you determine the horizontal asymptote of a rational function when the degree of the numerator and denominator are the same?

If f(x)=axn+...bxn+...f(x) = \frac{ax^n + ...}{bx^n + ...}, then y=aby = \frac{a}{b}

How do you determine the horizontal asymptote of a rational function when the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator?

y=0y = 0

How do you determine the horizontal asymptote of a rational function when the degree of the numerator is greater than the degree of the denominator?

There is no horizontal asymptote. Consider long division to find slant asymptote if the degree of the numerator is exactly one more than the degree of the denominator.

How do you find the zeros of a polynomial function?

Set f(x)=0f(x) = 0 and solve for xx.

How do you find the vertical asymptotes of a rational function?

Set the denominator q(x)=0q(x) = 0 and solve for xx, excluding any values that are also zeros of the numerator.

How do you find the holes of a rational function?

Find common factors in the numerator and denominator. The xx-value where the factor equals zero is the location of the hole.

What does a vertical asymptote on the graph of a rational function indicate?

A value of xx where the function approaches infinity or negative infinity, and the function is undefined.

What does a hole on the graph of a rational function indicate?

A value of xx where the function is undefined, but the limit exists. It occurs due to a common factor in the numerator and denominator.

How can you identify the end behavior of a polynomial from its graph?

Observe the behavior of the graph as xx approaches positive and negative infinity. Note whether the graph rises or falls on each end.

How can you identify the zeros of a polynomial from its graph?

The zeros are the xx-intercepts of the graph, where the graph crosses or touches the xx-axis.

What does the graph of a linear function look like, and what does it tell you about its rate of change?

It's a straight line, and the slope of the line represents the constant rate of change.

What does the graph of a quadratic function look like, and what does it tell you about its rate of change?

It's a parabola, and the rate of change varies, increasing or decreasing depending on the location on the parabola.

How can you identify a hole in a rational function's graph?

It appears as an open circle (or removable discontinuity) at a specific point on the graph.

How does the multiplicity of a zero affect the graph of a polynomial?

If the multiplicity is odd, the graph crosses the x-axis. If the multiplicity is even, the graph touches the x-axis and turns around.

What does a horizontal asymptote on the graph of a rational function indicate?

It shows the value that the function approaches as x goes to infinity or negative infinity.

How can you identify the leading coefficient's sign from the end behavior of a polynomial graph?

If the graph rises to the right, the leading coefficient is positive. If the graph falls to the right, the leading coefficient is negative.

Explain the concept of end behavior for polynomial functions.

End behavior describes what happens to the function's values as xx approaches positive or negative infinity. It's determined by the leading term (degree and leading coefficient).

Explain how the degree of a polynomial affects its graph.

The degree determines the maximum number of turning points and the end behavior. Even degree: ends go in the same direction. Odd degree: ends go in opposite directions.

Explain how the leading coefficient of a polynomial affects its graph.

The sign of the leading coefficient determines whether the graph rises or falls as xx approaches positive or negative infinity. Positive: rises to the right. Negative: falls to the right.

Explain the relationship between zeros and factors of a polynomial.

If x=ax = a is a zero of a polynomial, then (xa)(x - a) is a factor of the polynomial.

Explain the concept of vertical asymptotes in rational functions.

Vertical asymptotes occur where the denominator of a rational function equals zero and the numerator does not. They indicate values of xx where the function approaches infinity.

Explain the concept of horizontal asymptotes in rational functions.

Horizontal asymptotes describe the behavior of the function as xx approaches positive or negative infinity. They are determined by comparing the degrees of the numerator and denominator.

Explain the concept of holes in rational functions.

Holes occur when a factor cancels out in both the numerator and denominator. The function is undefined at that xx-value, but the limit exists.

Explain how to determine the end behavior of a rational function.

Compare the degrees of the numerator and denominator. If the degree of the denominator is greater, y=0y=0. If the degrees are equal, yy is the ratio of leading coefficients.

Explain the concept of rate of change for linear functions.

The rate of change (slope) is constant for linear functions, meaning the function increases or decreases at a steady rate.

Explain the concept of rate of change for quadratic functions.

The rate of change varies for quadratic functions, meaning the function's increase or decrease is not constant.