To be a polynomial function:

1) exponents must be positive integers

2) coefficients must be real numbers

*degree is largest exponent

*leading coefficient is coefficient of term with

largest exponent

degree?

leading coefficient?

1.

f(x) = c polynomial degree 0f(x) = mx + b polynomial degree 1f(x) = ax2 + bx + c polynomial degree 2

These are all polynomial functions.But in this section, we are focusing on a degree of 3 or higher.

graphs of polynomial functions should be smooth and continuous

degree is odd degree is even

What are zeros?

What else represents zeros of functions? x-intercepts, roots, solutions

How do we find the real zeros of a polynomial function?

1) factor if we can

2) set the factors equal to zero and solve

What are we talking about? Let's look at one of our previous examples.