Polynomial End Behavior

Front

What is the leading coefficient of a polynomial?

Back

The leading coefficient is the coefficient of the term with the highest degree in the polynomial.

Front

How do you determine the degree of a polynomial?

Back

The degree of a polynomial is determined by the highest power of the variable in the polynomial.

Front

What is the end behavior of a polynomial function?

Back

The end behavior of a polynomial function describes how the function behaves as x approaches positive or negative infinity.

Front

What does a positive leading coefficient indicate about the end behavior of a polynomial of odd degree?

Back

If a polynomial of odd degree has a positive leading coefficient, the left end of the graph goes down and the right end goes up.

Front

What does a negative leading coefficient indicate about the end behavior of a polynomial of odd degree?

Back

If a polynomial of odd degree has a negative leading coefficient, the left end of the graph goes up and the right end goes down.

Front

What is the end behavior of a polynomial function with an even degree and a positive leading coefficient?

Back

The ends of the graph both go up.

Front

What is the end behavior of a polynomial function with an even degree and a negative leading coefficient?

Back

The ends of the graph both go down.

Front

Given the polynomial f(x) = 2x^3 - x + 5, what is its end behavior?

Back

Left down and right up.

Front

What is the degree of the polynomial f(x) = -4x + 5x^3 - 2x^2?

Back

The degree is 3.

Front

What is the degree of the polynomial f(x) = 3x^2 + 4x - 5?

Back

The degree is 2 (quadratic).