Number and algebra

14
Polynomials
Optional Stage 5.3 topic
We have analysed and graphed linear equations y mx b,
quadratic equations y ax 2 bx c and simple cubic
equations y ax 3 c. In this topic we will look at
equations involving higher powers of x, their graphs and the
methods for factorising them and sketching their graphs.
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Shutterstock.com/sahua d
n Chapter outline n Wordbank
Proficiency strands degree of a polynomial The highest power in a polynomial.
14-01 Polynomials* U R C For example, the degree of 8x 3 4x  7 is 3.
14-02 Adding and subtracting U F R C polynomial An algebraic expression involving powers
polynomials* of x that are positive integers. For example,
14-03 Multiplying polynomials* U F R C P(x) 8x 3 4x  7.
14-04 Dividing polynomials* U F R C
14-05 The remainder theorem* U F R C quotient The whole part of the answer when a
14-06 The factor theorem* U F R C polynomial is divided by another polynomial
14-07 The cubic curve U F R C remainder The left-over part of the answer when a
y a(x  r)(x  s)(x  t)* polynomial is divided by another polynomial
14-08 Graphing polynomials* U F PS R C root of an equation A value of x that is a solution to the
14-09 Transforming graphs of U F PS R C equation P(x) 0. A root of P(x) 0 is the same as a zero
polynomials* of P(x).
*STAGE 5.3 zero of a polynomial A value of x that makes the value of
the polynomial P(x) equal to 0

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n In this chapter you will:

(STAGE 5.3) investigate the concept of a polynomial and apply the factor and remainder
theorems to solve problems
(STAGE 5.3) apply understanding of polynomials to sketch a range of curves and describe the
features of these curves from their equation
(STAGE 5.3) recognise a polynomial and use polynomial notation
(STAGE 5.3) add and subtract polynomials
(STAGE 5.3) multiply and divide a polynomial by a linear polynomial
(STAGE 5.3) understand and apply the remainder and factor theorems
(STAGE 5.3) factorise polynomials and solve polynomial equations
(STAGE 5.3) graph cubic equations of the form y a(x  r)(x  s)(x  t)
(STAGE 5.3) graph quadratic, cubic and quartic polynomials
(STAGE 5.3) graph transformations of a basic polynomial y P(x)

SkillCheck
1 If x 2, evaluate each expression.
a x 3 2x 2  x  1 b 2x 2 3x  11 c x 4  x 3 2x
2 Factorise each expression.
a x 2  16 b x 3  16x c 3x 2  27 d 3x 3  27x
e x 2  2x  15 f x 2 5x  24 g 2x 2 x  10 h x 3  3x 2  70x
3 Solve each equation.
a (2x 5)(x  2) 0 b x 2  10x 0 c 5x 2  3x 0
d x 2 6x 5 0 e x 2  2x  120 0 f 2x 2 7x 6 0

Stage 5.3
14-01 Polynomials
Worksheet
A polynomial is an algebraic expression involving powers of x that are positive integers, for
StartUp assignment 14
(Advanced) example, 8x 3 4x  7. It is written using the notation P(x), meaning a polynomial using the
variable x.
MAT10NAWK10228

Summary
A polynomial has the general form
P(x) anx n an1x n1 an2x n2 a2x 2 a1x a0
where the powers of x are positive integers, n
and an, an1, an2, , a1, a0 are called coefficients.

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The leading term of a polynomial is the term with the highest power. For example, the leading Stage 5.3
term of the polynomial P(x) 2x 5 8x 3  7 is 2x 5.
The leading coefficient of a polynomial is the coefficient of the leading term. For P(x) 2x 5 8x 3  7,
the leading coefficient is 2.
The highest power of the polynomial is the degree of the polynomial. For P(x) 2x 5 8x 3  7,
the degree is 5.
A monic polynomial is a polynomial that has a leading coefficient of 1. For example,
P(x) x 4  7x 2 x 8 is monic.
The constant term of a polynomial is the term at the end of the polynomial that is independent
of x. For P(x) x 4  7x 2 x 8, the constant term is 8.

Names of polynomials
Linear polynomials have degree 1 and their graph is a straight line, for example, P(x) 2x  7.
Quadratic polynomials have degree 2 and their graph is a parabola, for example, P(x) 3x 2  2x 5.
Cubic polynomials have degree 3, for example P(x) 6x 3  7x 2 9x  10.
Quartic polynomials have degree 4, for example P(x) 2x 4 x 3  8x 2  4x 13.

Example 1
Determine which of these expressions represents a polynomial.
p p
Ax 2x4  7x5 32 Cx 2 x x3 7
x
B(x) 5x 2 D(x) (x 2  2)(x 5)

Solution
p
Since A(x) can be written as Ax 2x4  7x5 3x2 , it is not a polynomial because
powers of x must be positive integers and 3x  2 has a negative power.
B(x) 5x 2 is a polynomial.
1 1
Since, Cx 2x2 x3 7, it is not a polynomial because 2x2 has a fractional power.
Dx x2  2x 5 x3 5x2  2x  10, which is a polynomial.

Example 2
For the polynomial P(x) 7x 6 5x 3 9x  2, state:
a the degree b the leading term c the leading coefficient
d the constant term e whether the polynomial is monic.

Solution
a The degree is 6. The highest power of the polynomial is 6.
b The leading term is 7x 6. The term with the highest power
c The leading coefficient is 7.
d The constant term is 2. The term independent of x.
e Since the leading coefficient is not 1, the
polynomial is not monic.

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Polynomials

Stage 5.3 P(x) notation

To find the value of a polynomial P(x) for x c, we write P(c). This means that c is substituted for
x in the polynomial.

Example 3
For the polynomial P(x) 3x 4  6x 2 4, find:
a P(3) b P(2) c P(0)  P(1)

Solution
a P3 334  632 4 b P2 324  622 4
193 28
c P0 304  602 4
4
P1 314  612 4
1
) P0  P1 4  1
3

Exercise 14-01 Polynomials

See Example 1 1 Determine whether each expression is a polynomial. If it is a polynomial, state whether
it is monic.
p
a 9x 2  5x b 52 23 x c 3x 5 x 6  7
x x p
x
d 10  e 4x 2 x f x 3 x 2  11
2
p 2 p 4 p
g 5x  10x x3 h 3 x  2x 4 x 5 i (20  x)(20x x 2)
x 9x3 x2 x
j 3x  x3 k (x 2  2) 2(x 3) l
3 x
See Example 2 2 For each polynomial, state:
i the degree ii the leading coefficient iii the constant term.
a 9x 5  2x 4 5x 3 1 b 7x 4  6x 5 3 c 11x 2  10

d 6x e 8x  1 x 2 7x 5 3 f 9
2
p 4 3 2
g 4x 3 2 x  11 x 6 h 22  5x i x x x
4 3 2
See Example 3 3 If P(x) 3x 3  2x 2 x  1, evaluate:   p
a P(0) b P(2) c P(1) d P 1 e P 2
2
4 If P(x) x 2  x and Q(x) 1  x 3, find:
a P(0) Q(0) b P(2) Q(1) c P(4) Q(1) d P(2)  Q(2)
     p p
e P 1 Q 1 f P 2 3 Q 3 g P[Q(2)] h Q[P(2)]
2 4
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Stage 5.3
14-02 Adding and subtracting polynomials
Example 4
If P(x) x 3 3x 2  2x  5 and Q(x) 3x 2  5x 7, simplify each expression.
a P(x) Q(x) b P(x)  Q(x)

Solution
a Px Qx x3 3x2  2x  5 3x2  5x 7
x3 6x2  7x 2
b Px  Qx x3 3x2  2x  5  3x2  5x 7
x3 3x  12

Exercise 14-02 Adding and subtracting polynomials

See Example 4
1 Simplify each expression.
a (9x 3 x 2 x) (7x 2 5x  2)
b (3x 2)  (x 3  x)
c (8x  2)  (11x 4x 2)
d 2(x 4  x 2 2)  3(x 3 x 2  x 4)
e x 4  (x 3  x 2 5x)
f 2(5x 4 x 3 2x) 2(11  2x 2 x 5)
g (7x 6 x 5) (x 2 x 3)  (2  3x)
h 8x 4  x 3 6x 2 5x  (x 6) (x 3 9x 2  1)
i x 4  8x 3 2x 2 7x  2  (6x  3x 2 5x 4)
j 6x 3  2x 2  x  (2x  3)  (3x 2)

2 If P(x) 4x  3 and Q(x) x 2 7x 2, simplify each expression.

a P(x) Q(x) b P(x)  Q(x) c Q(x)  P (x) d 3P(x) 2Q(x)
3 If A(x) x 2  6, B(x) 11x  2x 2 and C(x) 9  4x, simplify each expression.
a C(x)  B(x) b A(x)  C(x)
c B(x)  A(x) d A(x) B(x) C(x)
e A(x)  B(x) C(x) f A(x)  [B(x) C(x)]

4 If R(x) x 2  6x 5, P(x) x  1 and Q(x) R(x)  P(x), simplify each expression.

 p
a Q(x) b Q 3 2
c the values of x if Q(x) 0

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Stage 5.3
14-03 Multiplying polynomials
Example 5
If P(x) 3x 1 and Q(x) x 2  5x  2, find P(x) Q(x).

Solution
Px  Qx 3x 1x2  5x  2
3xx2  5x  2 1x2  5x  2
3x3  15x2  6x x2  5x  2
3x3  14x2  11x  2

Exercise 14-03 Multiplying polynomials

See Example 5 1 Expand each product.
a (3x 2)(x 3  x) b (11x 4x 2)(8x  2) c (9x 3 x 2 x)(5x  2)
d (6x 3  2x 2  x  3)(3x 2) e (2  3x)(7x 6 x 5 x 3 x 2) f (x 6)(8x 4  x 3 6x 2 5x  2)
2 If P(x) 4x  3 and Q(x) x 2 7x 2, find P(x) Q(x).
3 If A(x) x 2  6, B(x) 11x  2x 2 and C(x) 9  4x, find:
a A(x) B(x) b A(x) C(x) c B(x) C(x)

Puzzle sheet

Finding the quotient

14-04 Dividing polynomials
MAT10NAPS00052
Long division
The long division process for 9947 4 65 is shown on the right. 153
65 into 99 is 1, remainder 34 65 9947
Bring down the 4 from 9947 65
65 into 344 goes 5, remainder 19 344
Bring down the 7 from 9947 325
65 into 197 goes 3, remainder 2 197
195
) 9947 4 65 153; remainder 2 2
2
153
65
) 9947 65 3 153 2

9947 is the dividend, 65 is the divisor, 153 is the quotient, 2 is the remainder.

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The long division process can also be used to divide polynomials. x2 + 2x 12 Stage 5.3
For example, (x 3 5x 2  6x  4) 4 (x 3) is x + 3 + 5x2 6x 4
x3
(x 3) into (x 3 5x 2) is x 2, remainder 2x 2 x3 4 x x2 x3 + 3x2
2x2 6x
Bring down the (6x) from the dividend
2x2 + 6x
(x 3) into (2x 2  6x) goes 2x, remainder 12x 2x 2 4 x 2x
12x 4
Bring down the (4) from the dividend
12x 36
(x 3) into (12x  4) goes (12), remainder 32 12x 4 x 12
32
3 2 2
[ (x 5x  6x  4) 4 (x 3) x 2x  12, remainder 32
[ (x 3 5x 2  6x  4) (x 3)(x 2 2x  12) 32
(x 3 5x 2  6x  4) is the dividend, (x 3) is the divisor, (x 2 2x  12) is the quotient, 32 is
the remainder.
Note that we can express the dividend P(x) as the product of its factors plus the remainder:
P(x) divisor 3 quotient remainder.

Example 6
Divide P(x) x 3  x 4 by A(x) x  3. Then write P(x) in the form P(x) A(x) Q(x) R(x),
where Q(x) is the quotient and R(x) is the remainder.

Solution
x2  3x 8
x  3 x 0x2  x 4
3 Write 0x2 as there is no x2 term
x3  3x2
3x2  x
3x2  9x
8x 4
8x  24
28 ) x3  x 4 x  3x2 3x 8 28

Example 7
Show that (2x 5) is a factor of 2x 3 5x 2  2x  30.

Solution
If 2x 3 5x 2  12x  30 (2x 5) Q(x) with no remainder, then (2x 5) is a factor.

x2 6
2x 5 2x3 5x2  12x  30
2x3 5x2
0x2  12x  30
12x  30
0
Since the remainder is 0, this means that 2x 3 5x 2  12x  30 (2x 5)(x 2  6)
[ (2x 5) is a factor of 2x 3 5x 2  2x  30.

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Stage 5.3
Exercise 14-04 Dividing polynomials
See Example 6 1 Perform the following divisions, then write the first polynomial in the form:
dividend divisor 3 quotient remainder.
a (x 2 7x 4) 4 (x 2) b (x 2  6x 2) 4 (x  3)
c (4x 2 3x 10) 4 (x 1) d (8x 2 9x 11) 4 (2x 1)
e (x 3 6x 2 5x  4) 4 (x  3) f (4x 3 2x 2 x) 4 (x 4)
g (2x 3  x 2 5x 3) 4 (x 6) h (11  x 2 3x 3) 4 (x 2)
i (x 5  x 4 8x 3 2x 2  x  1) 4 (x 1) j (x 4  x 2 10) 4 (x 3)

2 If P(x) 3x 2  7x 5, W(x) x 2 5x and T(x) x  2, then find the quotient and

remainder in each expression.
a P(x) 4 T(x) b W(x) 4 T(x)
c [W(x) 3 P(x)] 4 T(x) d [P(x) W(x)] 4 T(x)

See Example 7 3 Show that (2x  1) is a factor of each polynomial. Express P(x) as a product of the two
factors.
a P(x) 6x 2 x  2 b P(x) 2x 3 x 2 x  1
c P(x) 8x 2 10x  7 d P(x) 6x 3 x 2  1
e P(x) 2x 4  7x 3  5x 2 8x  2 f P(x) 2x 4  x 3  2x 2 7x  3
g P(x) 6x 3  3x 2 2x  1 h P(x) 11x x 5  6x 2  2x 6  4

Puzzle sheet

The remainder theorem

14-05 The remainder theorem
MAT10NAPS00053

Summary

The remainder theorem

If a polynomial P(x) is divided by the linear expression (x  a), then the remainder is P(a).

Proof:
Since (x  a) is a polynomial of degree 1:
P(x) (x  a) Q(x) R, where the remainder R is a constant.
Substituting x a, gives:
Pa a  a : Qa R
0R
R

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Stage 5.3
Example 8
Find the remainder when P(x) 6x 4  3x 3 2x 5 is divided by each linear expression.
a (x  2) b (x 3)

Solution
a Dividing by (x  2) will give the remainder P(2).
P2 624  323 22 5
81
b Dividing by (x 3) will give the remainder P(3).
P3 634  333 23 5
566

Exercise 14-05 The remainder theorem

1 Find the remainder when P(x) 2x 3  3x 2 x  1 is divided by each linear expression. See Example 8
a (x  2) b (x 4) c (x  1) d (x  5)
e (x 1) f (x  10) g (x 3) h (x  3)
2 Determine the remainder when the first polynomial is divided by the second polynomial.
a x 2 11x  6, x  4 b x 2  2x 3, x  1
c 3x 2  x 4, x  2 d x 3 x 2  x, x 2
e 3x 3 2x 2  11, x 1 f 2x 2  x  16, x  10
g 5x 3  x 2  6x, x 1 h x 6  3x 4 x 3  2, x 2
i 2x 4  3x 2 6x  2, x 3

Puzzle sheet
14-06 The factor theorem Factorising cubic
functions

If a polynomial P(x) is divided by (x  a) and the remainder is zero, then (x  a) is a factor of P(x). MAT10NAPS00051

Furthermore, by the remainder theorem, P(a) 0.

Summary

The factor theorem

If (x  a) is a factor of P(x), then P(a) 0.

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Stage 5.3 Factorising polynomials

Video tutorial
Example 9
Factorising polynomials

MAT10NAVT10018
a Show that (x  2) is a factor of P(x) 2x 3 7x 2 3x 18.
b Hence express P(x) as a product of its factors.

Solution
a P2 223  722  32 18
0
[ (x  2) is a factor of P(x).
b Use long division to find the other factors. 2x2  3x  9
x 2 2x3  7x2  3x 18
2x2  4x2
3x2  3x
3x2 6x
9x 18
9x 18
2
) Px x  22x  3x  9 0

x  22x2  6x 3x  9 Factorising 2x 2  3x  9
x  22xx  3 3x  3
x  2x  32x 3
[ 2x 3  7x 2  3x 18 (x  2)(x  3)(2x 3)

Zeroes of a polynomial
If (x  a) is a factor of P(x), x a is called a zero of the polynomial P(x).
A zero of a polynomial P(x) is a value of x that makes P(x) equal to zero. It is a solution of P(x) 0.
In Example 9 above, x 2 is a zero of the polynomial P(x) 2x 3 7x 2 3x 18 because P(2) 0.

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Solving polynomial equations Stage 5.3

Example 10
a Factorise 2x 3  3x 2  29x  30.
b Hence solve the equation 2x 3  3x 2  29x  30 0.

Solution
a Let P(x) 2x 3  3x 2  29x  30
Use guess and check to find a zero of P(x).
Any zero of P(x) must be a factor of the constant term of P(x), which is (30), because if
P(x) is expressed as a product of its factors, the constant terms of each factor must multiply
together to make (30).
Factors of 30 are 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 6, 10, 10, 15, 15, 30 and 30.
Guessing and checking:
P1 2  3  29  30
60
6 0 ) x  1 is not a factor
P1 2  3 29  30
6
6 0 ) x 1 is not a factor
P2 16  12 58  30
0 ) x 2 is a factor
Now, by long division:
2x2  7x  15

x 2 2x  3x2  29x  30
3

2x3 4x2
7x2  29x
7x2  14x
15x  30
15x  30
0
2
) Px x 22x  7x  15
x 22x2  10x 3x  15 Factorising 2x 2  7x  15
x 22xx  5 3x  5
x 2x  52x 3
[ 2x 3  3x 2  29x  30 (x 2)(x  5)(2x 3)

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Stage 5.3 b 2x 3  3x 2  29x  30 0

(x 2)(x  5)(2x 3) 0

x20 or x  5 0 or 2x 3 0
2x 3
3
x
2
x 2 x 5 or x 1 12

Exercise 14-06 The factor theorem

See Example 9 1 Determine which linear polynomial, A, B and/or C, is a factor of P(x).

P(x) A B C
a x 2  8x 7 (x  2) (x  7) (x  1)
b x 3 2x 2  x  2 (x 3) (x 1) (x  1)
c 2x 3 x 3 (x 1) (x  2) (x  3)
d x 3  5x 2  22x  16 (x 1) (x 2) (x  8)
e x 3 2x 2  13x 10 (x 5) (x  2) (x  3)

2 Show that the second polynomial is a factor of the first polynomial.

a x 2 10x  24, x  2 b x 3 5x 2 11x 10, x 2
3 2
c x 3x  x  3, x  1 d x 4  x 3 2x 2  x  1, x  1
3 2
e x  x  12x, x 3 f x 5  4x 4 3x 3 x 2 4, x  2
g 8x 4 2x 2  1, x  1 h 2x 4 7x 3  56x 2  37x 84, (x  4)
2
See Example 10 3 Factorise each polynomial.
a x 3 6x 2 8x b x 3  x 2  2x
c x 3 2x 2  x  2 d 2x 3 3x 2  18x 8
e x 3  6x 2 11x  6 f x 3 x 2  46x 80
g 3x 3  16x 2  13x 6 h 6x 3  13x 2 x 2
i 2x 4  5x 3 2x 2
4 Solve each equation.
a (2x  1)(x  3)(x 4) 0 b (x 4)(x 2 1) 0
c (2x  5)(x 2  x  6) 0 d (x 2  25)(x 2 3) 0
e (x  2)(x 3)(x 2  16) 0 f x 3 5x 2  14x 0
g x 3 2x 2  9x  18 0 h x 3  x 2  10x  8 0
i x 3  21x  20 0 j 2x 3  7x 2 2x 3 0
k 12x 3  23x 2 13x  2 0 l x 3  x  24 0

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Stage 5.3
14-07 The cubic curve y a(x  r)(x  s)(x  t) NSW

In Chapter 11, when graphing parabolas of the form y ax 2 bx c, we found its x-intercepts Worksheet

by solving the equation ax 2 bx c 0. Graphing cubics 2

Now we can graph cubic curves of the form y ax 3 bx 2 cx d by factorising the RHS as MAT10NAWK10230
y a(x  r)(x  s)(x  t) to find its x-intercepts at r, s and t.

Example 11
Sketch the graph of the cubic equation y x(x 5)(x  1).

Solution
Substitute y 0 to find the x-intercepts.
0 x(x 5)(x  1)
x 0 or x 5 0 or x  1 0
[ x 0, 5 and 1
The x-intercepts are 5, 0 and 1.
Substitute x 0 to find the y-intercept.
y 00 50  1
0
The y-intercept is 0. A y B y
Possible graphs are:

0 1 x 0 1 x
5 5

To determine which graph is correct, we look at the leading coefficient of the cubic equation.
In the expansion of y x(x 5)(x  1), the coefficient of x 3 is 1, which is positive, so the
correct graph is B, an increasing cubic curve.
(If the coefficient of x 3 is negative, the correct graph is A, a decreasing cubic curve)
We can check this by substituting a value of x, say x 3, into the equation to find a point
on the curve:
y 33 53  1
24

This means (3, 24) lies on the curve. So B must be (3, 24) y
the correct graph. y = x(x + 5)(x 1)

5 0 1 x

Use GeoGebra or other graphing technology to check the shape of this graph.

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Stage 5.3
Exercise 14-07 The cubic curve y a(x  r)(x  s)(x  t)
GeoGebra or other graphing technology can be used to check the shapes of the graphs in this exercise.
See Example 11 1 For each cubic equation, find the x- and y-intercepts and sketch its graph.
a y (x  2)(x 2)(x 3) b y x(x  2)(x 1) c y (x  1)(x  3)(x 1)
d y (4  x)(x 1)(x  5) e y (1  x)(2 x)(x 3) f y 2x(x  6)(x  3)
g y (x 3)(x  2)(x  5) h y 2(x  1)(x 2)(x  3) i y (x 2)(x  1)(x  2)
2 What are the x-intercepts of the graph of y 2x(x 1)(x  3)? Select the correct answer
A, B, C or D.
A x 2, 1, 3 B x 0, 1, 3 C x 0, 1, 3 D x 2, 1, 3
3 Which cubic equation has a graph with x-intercepts 2, 5 and 6? Select A, B, C or D.
A y (x 2)(x 5)(x  6) B y (x  2)(x  5)(x 6)
C y (x 2)(x  5)(x 6) D y (x  2)(x 5)(x 6)
4 Sketch the graph of each cubic equation.
a y x(x  3)(x 1) b y (x  3)(x  1)(x 1) c y 2x(x  1)(x 6)
d y (2x  3)(x  1)(x 2) e y (x 1)(x 1)(x 1) f y (x  3) 2(x 2)

Worksheet

Polynomials review
14-08 Graphing polynomials
MAT10NAWK10229

Summary
To graph the polynomial y P(x):
substitute y 0 to find the x-intercepts
substitute x 0 to find the y-intercepts
use the sign of the leading coefficient to sketch the shape of the curve

Example 12
Sketch y x 3  x 2  10x  8.

Solution
Substitute y 0 to find the x-intercepts.
0 x 3  x 2  10x  8
Use the factor theorem to factorise the RHS.
Let P(x) x 3  x 2  10x  8
Test factors of 8.
P1 1  1  10  8
18
6 0

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P1 13  12  101  8 Stage 5.3
0
[ (x 1) is a factor.

x2  2x  8
x 1 x3  x2  10x  8
x3 x2
2x2  10x
2x2  2x
8x  8
8x  8
0

) Px x 1x2  2x  8
x 1x  4x 2 Factorising x 2  2x  8
If P(x) 0: (x 1)(x  4)(x 2) 0
[ The x-intercepts are 2, 1 and 4.
Substitute x 0 to find the y-intercept.

y 03  02  100  8
y
8
[ The y-intercept is 8.
y = x3 x2 10x 8
The leading coefficient is 1, which is positive,
so the cubic curve is increasing.
2 1 0 4 x

Use GeoGebra or other graphing technology to

check the shape of this graph.

Single, double and triple roots of a polynomial equation

If x a is a solution of the polynomial equation P(x) 0, then x a is called a root of the equation.
If (x  a) 2 is a factor of a polynomial P(x), then x a is a double root of P(x) 0.
For example, if P(x) (x  3) 2(x 2  x  1), then x 3 is a double root of P(x) 0.
If (x  a) 3 is a factor of a polynomial P(x), then x a is a triple root of P(x) 0.
For example, if P(x) (x 1) 3(x  2), then x 1 is a triple root of P(x) 0.
If (x  a) is a factor of a polynomial P(x), then x a is a single root of P(x) 0.
For example, if P(x) (x  1)(x 2)(x  3), then x 1, x 2, x 3 are all single roots of P(x) 0.

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Polynomials

Stage 5.3
Example 13
Sketch P(x) (x  3) 3(x 1).

Solution
Solve P(x) 0 to find the x-intercepts.
x 3 and x 1
x 3 is a triple root and x 1 is a single root, so the graph will cross the x-axis at x 3
(and take a shape similar to y x 3 there) and at x 1.
Substitute x 0 to find the y-intercept.
y 0  33 0 1
27
The polynomial is a quartic (degree 4) and the leading term is x 3 3 x x 4, which is
negative, so the quartic curve will decrease as x increases.
P(x)

27
y = (x 3)3(x + 1)

1 0 3 x

Use GeoGebra or other graphing technology to check the shape of this graph.

Summary
If P(x) 0 has a single root at x a, then the graph of the polynomial crosses the x-axis at
x a.
If P(x) 0 has a double root at x a, then the graph of the polynomial touches the x-axis
at x a with a flat gradient, taking the shape of a parabola there.
If P(x) 0 has a triple root at x a, then the graph of the polynomial crosses the x-axis at
x a with a flat gradient, taking the shape of a cubic curve there.

Exercise 14-08 Graphing polynomials

GeoGebra or other graphing technology can be used to check the shapes of the graphs in this exercise.
See Example 12 1 Sketch the graph of each polynomial.
a P(x) x 3 6x 2 8x b P(x) x 3 2x 2  x  2
c P(x) 2x 3 3x 2  18x 8 d P(x) 2x 4  5x 3 2x 2
e P(x) 2x 3 17x 2 31x  20 f P(x) x 3 5x 2 8x  12
g P(x) x 4 3x 3 6x 2  8x h P(x) x 4 13x 2  36

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2 Sketch the graph of each polynomial. Stage 5.3
a y (x  2)(x 4) 2 b y (x 2)(x  3) 2
See Example 13
c y (x 1) 2(x  2) 2 d y x(x 1)(x  3) 2
e y (x  1)(x  2)(x 2) 2 f y x(x  4) 2
g y (x  2) 2(x 1) 2 h y (x  4) 3(x 1)
i y (x 2  4)(x  4) 2 j y x 3  x 2 5x  3
k P(x) x 4  5x 2 4 l y x 4  3x 3  12x 2  44x  48

Technology Transforming graphs

1 Use GeoGebra or other graphing technology to graph P(x) x 2  3x 2.
2 Write the equations of each polynomial.
a P(x) b P(x) c P(x)  3 d 2P(x)

3 Graph the polynomials shown in question 2.

4 Describe how the graphs of the polynomials y P(x), y P(x), y P(x)  3, y 2P(x)
can be drawn from the graph of y P(x).

Worksheet
14-09 Transforming graphs of polynomials Advanced graphs

MAT10NAWK10231

Summary
If the graph of the polynomial y P(x) is drawn:
the graph of y P(x) is a reflection of y P(x) in the x-axis
the graph of y P(x) is a reflection of y P(x) in the y-axis
the graph of y P(x) c is a vertical translation of the graph y P(x)
the graph of y aP(x) is y P(x) either stretched or compressed vertically, with the
same x-intercepts

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Polynomials

Stage 5.3
Example 14
The graph of y P(x) is shown. y
3
Draw the graphs of each polynomial.
y = P(x)
a y P(x) b y P(x)
c y P(x) 2 d y 3P(x)
1
0 1 2 x

Solution
a y P(x) is a reflection of y P(x) in the b y P(x) is a reflection of y P(x) in
x-axis. the y-axis.

y y
y = P(x)
y = P(x) 3
3 y = P(x) y = P(x)

1 1
1 0 x 2 0 2 x
1 2

c y P(x) 2 is y P(x) vertically translated d y 3P(x) is y P(x) stretched

2 units up. vertically by a factor of 3.

y y
9
5 y = P(x) + 2

3 y = 3P(x)
3
y = P(x)
0 x 1 0 1 2 x
y = P(x)

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Stage 5.3
Exercise 14-09 Transforming graphs of polynomials
1 The graph of the polynomial y P(x) is shown. Sketch the graph of y See Example 14
3
each polynomial below.
y = P(x)
a y 2P(x) b y P(x) 2 c y 1 P x
2
3 1
d y P(x)  3 e y P(x) f y P(x) 2 0 1 x

2 Use the graph of y P(x) shown to sketch each polynomial. y

y = P(x)
a y P(x) 1 b y P(x)  2 c y 2P(x)
2
d y P(x) e y P(x) f y 3P(x)

1 0 1 x

3 Graph P(x) (x  1)(x  3) 2 and use it to sketch the graph of each polynomial.
a y P(x) b y P(x) c y P(x)  3 d y 2P(x)
4 Describe the transformation needed to graph each cubic equation using the graph of y x 3.
a y x3  2 b y x3 1 c y 2x 3
d y x 3 3 e y 3x 3 f y 2  x3
g y 2x 3  5 h y 4  3x 3 i y 1 x3 4
2

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