Chapter 1 PRE-TEST REVIEW – Polynomial Functions

MHF4U
Jensen

Section 1: 1.1 Power Functions

1) State the degree and the leading coefficient of each polynomial

Polynomial Degree Leading Coefficient

𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 − 1
𝑦 = 5𝑥 − 6
𝑦 = 𝑥 − 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 4 + 3
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𝑦 = −3𝑥 5 + 2𝑥 3 − 𝑥 − 1
𝑦 = 21 − 2𝑥 + 4𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 3

2) Match each function to its end behavior

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𝑦 = 3𝑥 7 𝑦 = − 2 𝑥3 𝑦 = 2𝑥 4 𝑦 = −0.25𝑥 6

End Behaviour Functions

Q3 to Q1
Q2 to Q4
Q2 to Q1
Q3 to Q4

3) Complete the following table

Even or Sign of
Domain and End
Graph of Function Odd Leading Symmetry
Range Behaviour
Degree? Coefficient
Section 2: 1.2 Characteristics of Polynomial Functions

4) Use end behaviours, turning points, and zeros to match each equation with the most likely graph. Write the
letter of the equation beneath the graph.
A) 𝑔(𝑥) = 0.5𝑥 4 − 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 B) ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 5 − 7𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 − 3 C) 𝑝(𝑥) = −𝑥 6 + 5𝑥 3 + 4

5) Complete the following table

Sign of Possible Possible
Equation Degree Leading End Behaviour number of number of
Coefficient turning points x-intercepts

𝑓(𝑥) = 6𝑥 3 + 2𝑥

𝑔(𝑥) = −20𝑥 6 − 5𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 17

𝑝(𝑥) = 22𝑥 4 − 4𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2

ℎ(𝑥) = −𝑥 5 + 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 1

6) Complete the following table

Sign of Even or Least
Number of Number of
Graph Leading Odd End Behaviour Symmetry Possible
turning points x-intercepts
Coefficient Degree? Degree
7) State the degree of the polynomial function that corresponds to each constant finite difference. Then
determine the value of the leading coefficient for each polynomial function.

a) fifth differences = -60 b) third differences = 42

8) For each function, find the value of the constant finite differences.

a) 𝑔(𝑥) = 0.5𝑥 4 − 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 b) ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 5 − 7𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 − 3

9) Use finite differences to determine the degree and value of the leading coefficient for each polynomial
function.

a)

b)
Section 3: 1.3 Factored Form Polynomial Functions

10) For each function, complete the chart and sketch a possible graph of the function labelling key points.

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2)

Degree Leading Coefficient End Behaviour 𝒙-intercepts 𝒚-intercept

b) 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 2)2

Degree Leading Coefficient End Behaviour 𝒙-intercepts 𝒚-intercept

c) ℎ(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 4)2 (𝑥 + 3)3

Degree Leading Coefficient End Behaviour 𝒙-intercepts 𝒚-intercept

d) 𝑝(𝑥) = −4(2𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 4)

Degree Leading Coefficient End Behaviour 𝒙-intercepts 𝒚-intercept

11) For each graph, state…
i) the least possible degree and the sign of the leading coefficient
ii) the 𝑥-intercepts (specify order of zero) and the factors of the function
iii) the intervals where the function is positive/negative

a) i) degree:
leading coefficient:

ii) 𝑥-intercepts:
factors:

iii) Interval
Sign

b) i) degree:
leading coefficient:

ii) 𝑥-intercepts:
factors:

iii) Interval
Sign

12) Write the equation of each of the following functions:

a)

b) The quartic function has zeros at -3, -1, and 2 (order 2) and passes through the point (1, 4)
Section 4: 1.4 Transformations of Polynomial Functions

12) Write an equation for the function that results from the given transformations.

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a) The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 is compressed vertically by a factor of 5, stretched horizontally by a factor of 2,
reflected horizontally in the 𝑦-axis, and translated 1 unit up and 4 units to the left.

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b) The function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 is compressed horizontally by a factor of 4, stretched vertically by a factor of 5,
reflected vertically in the 𝑥-axis, and translated 2 units to the left and 7 units up.

13) Identify the 𝑎, 𝑘, 𝑑 and 𝑐 values and explain what transformation is occurring to the parent function for
𝑔(𝑥) = 2[−4(𝑥 + 7)]4 − 1

14) For the following questions, use the key points of the parent function to perform transformations. Graph
the parent and transformed function. Write the equation of the transformed function.
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a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 𝑔(𝑥) = 2 𝑓(𝑥 + 2) − 4
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b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑓 [2 (𝑥 − 1)] + 7

Section 5: 1.5 Symmetry

15) Circle all that apply for each function

a) d)
No symmetry No symmetry
y

Even function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 6 + 2𝑥 2 − 5 Even function

Odd function Odd function
x
Line Symmetry Line Symmetry
Point Symmetry Point Symmetry

b) e)
No symmetry No symmetry
y

Even function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 1 Even function

x Odd function Odd function
Line Symmetry Line Symmetry
Point Symmetry Point Symmetry

c) f)
No symmetry
y

No symmetry
Even function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥4 + 5𝑥 Even function
x
Odd function Odd function
Line Symmetry Line Symmetry
Point Symmetry Point Symmetry
16) Consider the polynomial function 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 4 + 6𝑥 2 − 10

a) Show algebraically whether f is even, odd or neither.

b) For what finite difference will f give a constant value, and what will that constant value be?

c) What are the maximum and minimum number of zeros the above polynomial could have?

17) Use the given graph to state:

a) 𝑥-intercepts 

b) number of turning points         



c) least possible degree



d) any symmetry present; even or odd function?

e) the intervals where 𝑓(𝑥) < 0