End Behavior

Front

What is end behavior in polynomial functions?

Back

End behavior describes how the values of a polynomial function behave as the input (x) approaches positive or negative infinity.

Front

What determines the end behavior of a polynomial function?

Back

The end behavior is determined by the degree of the polynomial and the sign of the leading coefficient.

Front

What is the degree of a polynomial?

Back

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

Front

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

Back

If the leading coefficient is positive and the degree is even, the end behavior will rise to +∞ as x approaches both +∞ and -∞.

Front

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

Back

If the leading coefficient is negative and the degree is even, the end behavior will fall to -∞ as x approaches both +∞ and -∞.

Front

What happens to the end behavior of a polynomial function with an odd degree and a positive leading coefficient?

Back

The end behavior will rise to +∞ as x approaches +∞ and fall to -∞ as x approaches -∞.

Front

What happens to the end behavior of a polynomial function with an odd degree and a negative leading coefficient?

Back

The end behavior will fall to -∞ as x approaches +∞ and rise to +∞ as x approaches -∞.

Front

How can you identify the end behavior from a graph of a polynomial function?

Back

Look at the direction the graph heads as x approaches +∞ and -∞ to determine the end behavior.

Front

What is a quartic polynomial?

Back

A quartic polynomial is a polynomial of degree 4.

Front

What is a cubic polynomial?

Back

A cubic polynomial is a polynomial of degree 3.