Module 3 – Polynomial and Rational Functions
3.2 – Polynomial Functions
In this section we go beyond the linear and quadratic cases that we
studied in section 3.1 to study also functions involving higher powers
of the variable.
Among the practice problems from section 2.6 of the text, you saw
examples in which quadratic functions were used to describe areas – not
surprising since the area of a rectangle is obtained by multiplying two
lengths. But the volume of a box is the product of three lengths (or
the cube of the side length if they are all equal), so volume problems
often lead to functions involving the third power – also known as cubic
functions. All three cases of linear, quadratic and cubic functions are
included in the larger class of polynomials which comprises all sums of
whole number powers of the variable. This class of functions is the
topic of the current section.
What to Do
1. Use the following Study Notes and Discussion
to guide your reading of section 3.1 of the text. Keep a pencil and
paper at hand, and
be sure to check your understanding by working the examples as you go.
2. Follow the instructions regarding Further Practice, and when you
feel that you have achieved the learning
objectives for this section, move on to the next.