Algebraic Functions

Two main types of functions:

Algebraic functions those functions that can be
obtained by a finite combination of constants and
variables together with the four basic operations
, exponentiation, or root extractions.
Transcendental functions those that are not
algebraic.
( ) + , , ,
Algebraic Functions
Polynomial Functions
Form:


where n is a non-negative integer and

( )
0 1
2
2
3
3
3
3
1
1
a x a x a x a x a x a x a x P
n
n
n
n
+ + + + + + + =

a
0
,a
1,
a
2
,..., a
n
e R
Polynomial Functions
Any polynomial function has
domain .
If , the polynomial function P
is said to be of degree n.
( ) x P
R =
P
D
0 =
n
a
Polynomial Functions
For particular values of n, special types of the
polynomial function are defined as follows:
If n = 0, the polynomial function is a constant
function (a polynomial function of degree zero).
If n = 1, the polynomial function is a linear
function (a polynomial function of the first
degree).


Polynomial Functions
If n = 2, the polynomial function is a
quadratic function (a polynomial
function of the second degree).
If n = 3, the polynomial function is a
cubic function (a polynomial function
of the third degree).


Polynomial Functions
Graphs of Special Polynomial Functions
a. Linear Functions
Standard form: , where m, b
are any real numbers. The domain of the
function is . The range is
, if .
( )
f x mx b = +
{ } R e = x | x D
f


R
f
= y | y e R
{ }
0 m=
Polynomial Functions
Example 1: The following are linear functions:
a. b. c.
Note: The domain and range of the linear function are
both set of real numbers.
How to Graph:
1. Find the y-intercept: set x = 0 and solve for y.
2. Find the x-intercept: set y = 0 and solve for x.


h(x) =
2x 5
4

g(x) =57x

f (x) = 3x +2
Polynomial Functions
The graph of the linear function is a straight line.
Note: Two points determine a line.
The x and y intercepts are points, enough to
draw a line.
Example 2: Sketch the graph of the functions in
Example 1.
Polynomial Functions
Note:
There are two special linear functions:
For the linear function , if m = 0,
we have , where b is any real
number. A function of the form is called
constant function.
( )
f x mx b = +
( ) b x f =
Polynomial Functions
The constant function i.e. y = k, k is any constant.
Examples:
1. f(x) = 5
2. g(x) = -7
Polynomial Functions
In general:


The graph of a constant function is a
horizontal line at a directed distance of b
units from the x-axis.
{ } R e = x | x D
f

R
f
= y y = b
{ }
Polynomial Functions
Given the general form of a linear function ,
, if m = 1 and b = 0, the
resulting function is called
the identity function.
For any ordered pair that belongs to
the identity function, the values of the x
and y are identical.
( )
y f x mx b = = +
( ) x x f =
( ) y , x
Polynomial Functions
The domain of the identity
function is and
the range is
The graph is the line bisecting
the first and the third
quadrants as shown in the
figure.

{ } R e = x | x D
f
{ } R e = y | y R
f ( ) x x f =



x
y
Polynomial Functions
Graphs of Special Polynomial Functions
b. Quadratic Functions are polynomial functions
of degree n = 2 (alternatively referred to as
second degree polynomial).
General form:
where and a, b, and c are constants.
( ) c bx ax x f y + + = =
2
Polynomial Functions
Quadratic Functions
D
f
= R
The range is denoted by
or
.
2
4
| , if 0
4
f
ac b
R y y a
a

= > >
`
)
2
4
| , if 0
4
f
ac b
R y y a
a

= s <
`
)
Polynomial Functions
The graph of a quadratic function described by an equation of the form

where a, b, and c e R and is a parabola.
c bx ax y + + =
2
0 = a
Polynomial Functions
An important point on the parabola is the vertex.
The coordinates of the vertex V is given by



Note: is known as the axis of symmetry.
|
|
.
|

\
|

a
b ac
a
b
V
4
2
4
,
2

x =
b
2a
Polynomial Functions
If a > 0, the parabola
opens upward
(or the vertex is the
lowest point);



for a > 0.
c bx ax y + + =
2
|
|
.
|

\
|

a
b ac
a
b
4
4
,
2
2



-


Figure
1.2.6
y


x
Polynomial Functions
If a < 0, the parabola
opens downward (or
the vertex is the
highest point);


for a < 0.
c bx ax y + + =
2

x
y
|
|
.
|

\
|

a
b ac
a
b
4
4
,
2
2
Polynomial Functions
Example 1: Find the vertex and range of the
given functions.
a. f(x) = x
2
-2
Solution:




V
f
= (0,
4(1)(2) 0
4(1)
)

= 0,
8
4
|
\

|
.
|

= 0,2
( )

R
f
= y / y > 2
{ }

V
g
= (
2
2(1)
,
4(1)(3) (2)
2
4(1)
)

= 1,
16
4
|
\

|
.
|

= 1,4
( )

R
g
= y / y > 4
{ }
b. g(x) = x
2
-2x-3
Solution:

Polynomial Functions
Polynomial Functions
c. F(x) = 4 - x
2


Solution:


V
F
=(0,4)

R
F
= y / y s 4
{ }
, since a < 0.
Polynomial Functions
HOW TO GRAPH QUADRATIC FUNCTION:
1. Find the vertex

Vertex is either the minimum or maximum point
of the graph.
2. Find the intercepts if theres any.
3. Assign arbitrary points and plot.

|
|
.
|

\
|

a
b ac
a
b
V
4
2
4
,
2