Algebra 1

Section 4.4

Graphing Polynomial Functions and Radical Functions

Sketching Polynomial Functions Based on Factors

More generally than quadratic functions, nth degree polynomial functions are of the form
f (x) = a1 xn + a2 xn1 + ... + an+1 . These functions, just like quadratic functions, can be sketched.

Just like quadratic functions, the x-values of the points where the graph of a polynomial function
crosses the x-axis are the solutions of the polynomial equation made by setting the function equal to
zero. Thus, by taking a function that is factored, or in the form f (x) = a(x + b1 )(x + b2 )...(x + bn ),
one can sketch the skeleton of the function by plotting the points (x, b1 ), (x, b2 ), ..., and (x, bn ).
That is because if x = b1 , b2 , ..., or bn , then one of the terms (x + b1 ), (x + b2 ), ..., or (x + bn )
will equal zero. This term is multiplied by the rest of the function, so the overall function will be zero.

Next, realize that the graph of every polynomial function is a curve, and there are rules about
this curve depending on the degree of the function. If the degree of the function is odd, the ends of
the curve go on forever in different directions. If the degree of the function is even, the ends of the
curve go on forever in the same direction. Notice quadratics are degree 2 polynomials, and 2 is even,
so the ends of quadratic functions graphs (parabolas) extend in the same direction.

To find if the graph in between the zeros is above or below the x-axis, pick an x value in between
every two adjacent zeros, and one to the left of the leftmost zero and one to the right of the rightmost
zero. Then, plug these values into the function. If the result is positive, the region lies above the
x-axis. If the result is negative, the region lies below the x-axis.

Finally, connect the zeros of the function on the direction of the x-axis you have found above.
The to the left of the leftmost zero and to the right of the rightmost zero, the function will extend to
either or . Just using an arrow to indicate this is sufficient.

Consider the example polynomial function:

f (x) = 3(x 3)(x + 1)(x + 4)

The factors of this function are (x 3), (x + 1), and (x + 4). Thus, the function has zeros at
x = {3, 1, 4}. Plot these zeros on the x-axis.

Next, pick the value 0 in between 1 and 3, the value 2 in between 1 and 4, the value 4 to
the right of 3 and 5 to the left of 4. (These values were arbitrary; as long as you choose a value in
between each two adjacent zeros and one to the left of 4 and one to the right of 3, the graph can be
sketched).

Next, plug these values into the function. A table is given below listing the values for x and f (x).

x f (x)
5 96
2 30
0 -36
4 120

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 So the graph of f (x) is negative to the left of 4, positive in between 4 and 1, negative in
between 1 and 3, and positive to the right of 3. Connect the zeros in this way and show the ends of
the curve extend forever. This will produce the graph of the polynomial function, as given below.

f(x)=3(x-3)(x+1)(x+4)
y

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Graphing Radical Functions

The square root and cube root functions (f (x) = x and f (x) = 3
x) are also important.

The graphs of x and 3
x are made first by rotating the graphs of x2 and x3 by 90 about the
origin.

However, notice that x2 is not 1-to-1, and

so its graph rotated such a way does not satisfy the
vertical line test. Thus, the function f (x) = x only includes the top half of this rotation, as shown
in the graph below. The domain if this function is all nonnegative real numbers.

Shift thisgraph up or down, add a positive or negative constant outside the radical respectively
(Ex: f (x) = x + 1). To move it left or right, add a positive or negative constant in the radical
respectively (Ex: f (x) = x + 1). To make the curve steeper or less steep, multiply the function by a
constant whose absolute value is large or small, respectively. To reflect the graph across the x-axis, so
that it is the bottom half of a parabola, multiply a top-half-parabola-function by a negative constant.
To reflect across the y-axis, multiply the component within the radical by a negative constant. When
reflection across the y-axis occurs, the actions used to translate the graph left and right are switched.

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 f(x)=x
y

Satisfies vertical line test

Bottom half of parabola is gone

4
 f(x)=x3
y

1 to 1 function

5
 f(x)=3x
y

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 Consider the example square root function:

f (x) = 3 x + 1 3

3 is a negative constant with a fairly high absolute value, so the parabola is a bottom half and
fairly steep. The coefficient of x is 1, so the parabola opens to the right. It is shifted slightly to the
left and down. Refer to the graph below.

f(x)=-3(x+1)-3
y

The function x3 is given below for reference. Because this function is 1-to-1,
its graph rotated

90 about the origin satisfies the vertical line test. Thus, the graph of f (x) = 3 x is simply the graph
of f (x) = x3 rotated in such a way. To translate this graph, apply the same techniques used for the
square root graph. Multiplying by a negative constant reflects the graph across the x-axis.

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Examples

Here are a few examples to test the concepts provided in this section. Answers can be found on
the following pages.

1. Graph the polynomial function f (x) = 2(x + 2)(x 2)(x).

2. Graph the square root function f (x) = 2 x + 3 3.

3. Graph the cube root function f (x) = 3 x 3 + 1.

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Solutions

These are the solutions to the questions on the previous page

1. The zeros of this graph are when x = {2, 0, 2}. Graph these zeros, and pick the values
x = {3, 1, 1, 3} to test the regions in between adjacent zeros, to the left of 2, and to the
right of 2.

The table below gives the values of f (x) at these points.

x f (x)
3 30
1 6
1 6
3 30

So the graph is below the x-axis to the left of x = 2 and in between x = 0 and x = 2, and the
graph is above the x-axis to the right of x = 2 and in between x = 2 and x = 0. Connect the
zeros on the corresponding side of the x-axis to obtain the graph below.

2. 2 is positive and reasonably far from 0, so the graph is an upper-half-parabola that is reasonably
steep. The coefficient of x is 1, so the parabola opens to the left. It is shifted to the RIGHT
(because the parabola opens to the left) and down by three units each, due to the constants
being added inside and outside of the radical. Refer to the graph below.

3. The Coefficient of the function is 1, so the rotated cubic is reflected across the x axis. It is also
shifted to the right by three units and up, due to the constants being added inside and outside
of the radical. Refer to the graph below.

The graphs for questions 1 through 3 are on the next page.

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 f(x)=2(x+2)(x-2)(x)
y

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 f(x)=2(-x+3)-3
y

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 f(x)=-3(x-3)+1
y

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