Mathematics 30-2: Polynomial Functions

Key Terms for Polynomial Functions

absolute maximum

the greatest value in the range of a function

absolute minimum

the least value in the range of a function

constant function

a polynomial function of degree 0

constant term

the term in which the variable has an exponent of 0. the constant term is the term without a variable.

cubic function

a polynomial function of degree 3.

y = ax³ + bx² cx d, where a ≠ 0

cubic regression function

the cubic function, which can be determined using technology, that best balances the points in a scatter plot on both sides of the curve.

curve of best fit

a curve that best approximates the trend in a scatter plot

degree

the greatest exponent of the function

end behaviour

the description of the graph’s behaviour at the far left and far right

function notation

the expression f(x) means “plug a value for x into a formula f.”

• read as “f of x” or “f at x”

leading coefficient

the coefficient of the term with the highest exponent of x in a polynomial function in standard form

line of best fit

a line that best approxiamtes the trend in a scatter plot

linear function

a polynomial function of degree 1

y = ax + b

where a ≠ 0

linear regression function

the equation of a line of best fit. technology uses linear regression to determine the equation that best balances the points in the scatter plot on both sides of the line.

local minimum

a minimum turning point within a specified domain

polynomial function

a function consisting of monomials that may be separated by addition or subtraction. the function has:

• real # coefficients

• whole # exponents

quadratic function

a polynomial function of degree 2

y - ax² + bx + c, where a ≠ 0

quadratic regression function

the quadratic function, which can be determined using technology, that best balances the points in a scatter plot on both sides of the curve.

scatter plot

a set of points on a grid, used to visualize a possible trend in the data

standard form

a polynomial function that is written in descending order of degree

turning point

any point where the y-values of a graph of a function change from increasing to decreasing or change from increasing to decreasing or change from decreasing to increasingx

x-intercept

x-value of the point where a function crosses or touches the x-axis (where y=0)

y-intercept

y-value of the point where a function crosses or touches the y-axis (where x=0)