Table of contents
- 0. Fundamental Concepts of Algebra3h 29m
- 1. Equations and Inequalities3h 27m
- 2. Graphs1h 43m
- 3. Functions & Graphs2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 54m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Measuring Angles40m
- 8. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 9. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 10. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 11. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trig Equations1h 41m
- 12. Trigonometric Identities 2h 34m
- 13. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 14. Vectors2h 25m
- 15. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 16. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 17. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
- 18. Systems of Equations and Matrices3h 6m
- 19. Conic Sections2h 36m
- 20. Sequences, Series & Induction1h 15m
- 21. Combinatorics and Probability1h 45m
- 22. Limits & Continuity1h 49m
- 23. Intro to Derivatives & Area Under the Curve2h 9m
4. Polynomial Functions
Understanding Polynomial Functions
Struggling with Precalculus?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Determine the end behavior of the given polynomial function. f(x)=x2+4x+x+7x3
A
Right side rises; Ends are same
B
Right side rises; Ends are opposite
C
Right side falls; Ends are same
D
Right side falls; Ends are opposite

1
First, simplify the given polynomial function by combining like terms. The function is f(x) = x^2 + 4x + x + 7x^3. Combine the x terms to get f(x) = 7x^3 + x^2 + 5x.
Identify the leading term of the polynomial. The leading term is the term with the highest power of x, which in this case is 7x^3.
Determine the degree of the polynomial. The degree is the highest power of x in the polynomial, which is 3 in this case.
Analyze the leading coefficient and the degree to determine the end behavior. Since the degree is odd (3) and the leading coefficient (7) is positive, the end behavior is such that as x approaches positive infinity, f(x) approaches positive infinity, and as x approaches negative infinity, f(x) approaches negative infinity.
Conclude the end behavior: The right side of the graph rises, and the ends are opposite, meaning one end rises and the other falls.
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