Chapter 5: Problem 47
For the following exercises, graph the polynomial functions. Note \(x\) -and \(y\) -intercepts, multiplicity, and end behavior. $$ n(x)=-3 x(x+2)(x-4) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph of \(-3x(x+2)(x-4)\) crosses at x-intercepts -2, 0, 4, it starts from positive when x is negative, goes to infinity negatively, and ends negatively when x is positive.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Function
The given polynomial is \( n(x) = -3x(x+2)(x-4) \). This indicates it is a cubic polynomial. Before moving to the graph, let's analyze its components: roots, multiplicities, and end behavior.
02
Finding the Roots and Multiplicities
The roots can be found by setting each factor equal to zero: \( x = 0 \), \( x+2 = 0 \Rightarrow x = -2 \), and \( x-4 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 4 \). Each root has a multiplicity of 1 because each factor appears once.
03
Determining the Y-intercept
To find where the graph intersects the y-axis, evaluate \( n(x) \) at \( x = 0 \): \( n(0) = -3(0)(0+2)(0-4) = 0 \). Thus, the y-intercept is \( (0, 0) \).
04
Analyzing End Behavior
The end behavior is determined by the leading term when the polynomial is expanded, which is \( -3x^3 \). As \( x \to \infty \), \( n(x) \to -\infty \); and as \( x \to -\infty \), \( n(x) \to \infty \). This means the right end of the graph goes downward, and the left end goes upward.
05
Plotting the X-intercepts and Y-intercept
Plot the x-intercepts at \( x = -2, 0, 4 \) and the y-intercept at \( (0, 0) \) on a coordinate plane. All x-intercepts are also points on the x-axis for the function graph.
06
Sketching the Graph
Using the intercepts and end behavior, sketch the graph by starting slightly above the x-axis at \( x = -fty \), coming through the x-axis at \( x = -2 \), rising and passing through \( (0,0) \), and finally falling and passing through \( x = 4 \) before continuing downwards.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Polynomial Roots
Polynomial roots, also known as zeros, are values of x where the polynomial equation equals zero. For the function \( n(x) = -3x(x+2)(x-4) \), the roots can be identified by setting each factor of the polynomial to zero:
Finding the roots is a critical step in sketching the graph of any polynomial function, as these intercepts provide foundational points at which the function changes direction when crossing the x-axis.
- \( x = 0 \)
- \( x+2 = 0 \; \Rightarrow \; x = -2 \)
- \( x-4 = 0 \; \Rightarrow \; x = 4 \)
Finding the roots is a critical step in sketching the graph of any polynomial function, as these intercepts provide foundational points at which the function changes direction when crossing the x-axis.
End Behavior
The end behavior of a polynomial function describes how the graph behaves as \( x \) approaches positive or negative infinity. For the polynomial \( n(x) = -3x(x+2)(x-4) \), which is a cubic function, the leading term is \( -3x^3 \).
A look at the leading term helps determine the overall direction of the polynomial ends:
Understanding a function's end behavior helps in predicting and sketching the graph beyond the immediate vicinity of x- and y-intercepts.
A look at the leading term helps determine the overall direction of the polynomial ends:
- As \( x \to \infty \), because of the negative coefficient in the leading term \( -3x^3 \), \( n(x) \to -\infty \)
- As \( x \to -\infty \), \( n(x) \to \infty \)
Understanding a function's end behavior helps in predicting and sketching the graph beyond the immediate vicinity of x- and y-intercepts.
Multiplicity
Multiplicity refers to how many times a particular root appears in a polynomial function. In our polynomial \( n(x) = -3x(x+2)(x-4) \), each factor \( x, \; (x+2), \; (x-4) \) appears only once, meaning each root has a multiplicity of 1.
When a root has a multiplicity of:
When a root has a multiplicity of:
- 1 - The graph will cross the x-axis at this point
- 2 - The graph will touch the x-axis and turn around
- 3 or more - The graph will pass through but tends to flatten at the x-axis
Y-intercept
The y-intercept of a polynomial function is where the graph crosses the y-axis. It can be found by evaluating the function at \( x = 0 \). For our polynomial \( n(x) = -3x(x+2)(x-4) \):\[n(0) = -3(0)(0+2)(0-4) = 0\]Thus, the y-intercept is \((0, 0)\).
The y-intercept acts as both an x- and a y-intercept when it is located at the origin for a polynomial function. This point provides crucial information for sketching the graph and serves as a landmark showing where the curve crosses the y-axis. Understanding and identifying the y-intercept simplifies the plotting process, giving you a starting point or a connector between multiple intercepts.
The y-intercept acts as both an x- and a y-intercept when it is located at the origin for a polynomial function. This point provides crucial information for sketching the graph and serves as a landmark showing where the curve crosses the y-axis. Understanding and identifying the y-intercept simplifies the plotting process, giving you a starting point or a connector between multiple intercepts.