Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    NancyD92's Avatar
    NancyD92 Posts: 28, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Aug 20, 2008, 05:53 PM
    Polynomial Functions = Nightmare
    Okay, my pre-calculus teacher isn't very good at explaining things. We're working on graphing polynomial functions, and he went on about them. Unfortunately half the class didn't understand a word he said. So, I would like somebody to guide me through a sample problem (please be very specific, and use visual examples; that's how I learn):

    y = x^2 - 4x

    X^2 is X to the second power, if that helps.
    galactus's Avatar
    galactus Posts: 2,271, Reputation: 282
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #2

    Aug 21, 2008, 02:18 PM
    What are you supposed to do? If it is just graphing. Well, whip out the calculator and graph it.

    It is a parabola with vertex at (2,-4) and is concave up. If the x^2 term is positive, then it is concave up. If it is negative, then concave down.

    We can find the vertex by using

    Where a=1 (the coefficient of the leading term) and b=-4 (the coefficient of the linear term or x term).



    Plug that back in to find y...

    There we go for the vertex.
    Attached Images
     
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Composition Functions and Inverse Functions [ 3 Answers ]

Wow! These things are boogers! :eek: any way to make these things easier?

Polynomial functions [ 1 Answers ]

consider the function f(x)= x^3+6x^2+9x+4 -state the intervals over which f(x)>0 and f(x)<0 && - show that there is a local maximum at x=3 and state the coordinate.

Polynomial not divisible [ 2 Answers ]

I'm doing some math homework, but I have one polynomial inequality that isn't divisble by one or anything else so I can't factor it. What am I supposed to do?

Polynomial Functions [ 1 Answers ]

Using transformations and the zeros of the polynomial function f(x)=x(x-4)(x+2) how could you determine the zeros of y=f(2x)?? Thanks

Polynomial Functions [ 1 Answers ]

How would you solve x^3-3x^2+2=0? Given P(x)=x^3-2x^2-x+8 how could you use its graph to solve x^3-2x^2>4x-8? Does it show you where it shifts and to what quadrant? I'm confused. What is the solution to x^3-2x^2>4x-8? Thank you.

View more questions Search