1
Polynomial Functions and
Models
Section 3.3
Definition
•A polynomial function is a function of the
form
0
1
1
1
1...)( axaxaxaxfn
n
n
n++++=−
−
where an,an-1,…,a1,a0 are real numbers
(coefficients) and n is a nonnegative integer.
The degree of the polynomial is the highest
power of the variable
Real Roots, Real Zeros, and X-
intercepts
•These are all names for the same thing.
–Find the x-intercepts (roots, zeros) of: f(x) = x2
- 2x - 3
•x = -1, 3
–Imagine going backwards, if you have x=2, -3
as the roots (zeros, intercepts) of a polynomial,
then list the factors
•(x-2) and (x- -3)= (x+3)
