Chapter 5: Problem 42
For the following exercises, graph the polynomial functions. Note \(x\) -and \(y\) -intercepts, multiplicity, and end behavior. $$ f(x)=(x+3)^{2}(x-2) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The polynomial intersects x-axis at \(-3\) and \(2\) with respective multiplicities 2 and 1, y-intercept at \(-18\), and ends with behavior: left to \(-\infty\), right to \(\infty\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the polynomial's degree
The polynomial is given by \( f(x) = (x+3)^2(x-2) \). Expand it to identify the degree: \((x+3)^2(x-2) = (x^2 + 6x + 9)(x-2)\). Further expansion gives \(x^3 + 4x^2 - 3x - 18\). The degree of the polynomial is 3, indicating that the end behavior will resemble that of \(x^3\).
02
Find the x-intercepts and their multiplicities
Set \( f(x) = (x+3)^2(x-2) = 0 \) to find the x-intercepts. The equation implies \((x+3)^2 = 0\) or \((x-2) = 0 \). This gives x-intercepts at \(x=-3\) and \(x=2\). The intercept at \(x=-3\) has a multiplicity of 2 (since it's squared), and the intercept at \(x=2\) has a multiplicity of 1.
03
Find the y-intercept
To find the y-intercept, evaluate the function at \(x=0\). Substitute \(x=0\) into the function: \(f(0) = (0+3)^2(0-2) = 9(-2) = -18\). So, the y-intercept is \((0, -18)\).
04
Determine the effect of multiplicity on the intercepts
The x-intercept at \(x = -3\) with multiplicity 2 means the graph will touch the x-axis and bounce back. The intercept at \(x = 2\) with multiplicity 1 means the graph will pass through the x-axis.
05
Analyze the end behavior
Since the polynomial is of degree 3 (odd), the ends of the graph will have opposite behavior. The leading term after expansion is \(x^3\), indicating that as \(x \to \infty\), \(f(x) \to \infty\) and as \(x \to -\infty\), \(f(x) \to -\infty\).
06
Graph the polynomial using the information
Plot the x-intercepts at \(x=-3\) and \(x=2\), and the y-intercept at \(y=-18\). Use the multiplicity information: the graph touches the x-axis and bounces at \(x=-3\), and crosses the x-axis at \(x=2\). Sketch the end behavior where the left end goes to \(-\infty\) and the right end goes to \(\infty\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
X-intercepts
In polynomial graphing, finding the x-intercepts involves determining where the graph crosses or touches the x-axis. An x-intercept occurs when the value of the function is zero, which translates to solving the equation where the polynomial equals zero.
- The given polynomial is \( f(x) = (x+3)^2(x-2) \).
- To find the x-intercepts, set the equation equal to zero: \( (x+3)^2(x-2) = 0 \).
- This gives us solutions at \( x = -3 \) and \( x = 2 \) as these values make the function zero.
Y-intercepts
The y-intercept of a polynomial is the point where the graph of the function crosses the y-axis. To find the y-intercept, we evaluate the function at \( x = 0 \).
- For \( f(x) = (x+3)^2(x-2) \), substitute \( x = 0 \).
- Calculate \( f(0) = (0+3)^2(0-2) = 9(-2) = -18 \).
- Therefore, the y-intercept is at the point \( (0, -18) \).
Multiplicity
Multiplicity illustrates how a polynomial touches or crosses the x-axis at any of its intercepts. It refers to the number of times a particular root appears in the polynomial.
- In \( f(x) = (x+3)^2(x-2) \), the root \( x = -3 \) appears twice because of the squared term, giving it a multiplicity of 2.
- Meanwhile, \( x = 2 \) is a simple root, appearing only once, with a multiplicity of 1.
- An intercept with an odd multiplicity indicates the graph will cross the x-axis at that point (as we see at \( x = 2 \)).
- Even multiplicities, like at \( x = -3 \), demonstrate the graph touches the x-axis and "bounces" off it without crossing through.
End Behavior
End behavior describes what happens to the graph of a polynomial as we move towards the extreme ends of the x-axis. It's primarily influenced by the degree and leading coefficient of the polynomial.
- The polynomial \( f(x) = x^3 + 4x^2 - 3x - 18 \) is of degree 3, which is odd.
- This means that the graph will behave oppositely on either side— as \( x \rightarrow \infty, f(x) \rightarrow \infty \) and as \( x \rightarrow -\infty, f(x) \rightarrow -\infty \).
- The leading term here is \( x^3 \), setting the framework for the end behavior of the graph.