Q: *At the last question*, I think all of the graphs are wrong. if we look at the leading term, it will be the the product of an even number and an odd number, which means that the leading term will always be even (odd * even = even). Therefore, both of the ends of the graph will be at the same side of the _x-axis_.

The first term has an even exponent and the next term has an odd one, thus you would add the exponents NOT multiply them. As such, the degree of this polynomial will be an odd integer, or "odd + even = odd". For instance, imagine if m = 2 and n = 3, and you expanded the binomials. Then, you would end up with a polynomial with a degree of five.

Q: I know there are an infinite array of polynomial equations, but I'll never believe there is a specific one to look like someone scribbling all over the graph paper, like Choice D in Question 3.

It is a valid polynomial graph. Go to desmos.com and use their graphing calculator. Type in: y=0.1(x+1)^3(x-3)^2 You will get a graph very similar to the one that you've commented on.

Q: I am really confused on this lesson in general. Is there a video i can watch somewhere?

Rewatch the entire section in Algebra 2

Q: Where do I look on the site to find information about how to solve this question? Sketch a quartic function with a leading coefficient of -2, with two negative zeros and two complex roots.

I would just create a polynomial that meets those requirements, starting with the factored form. Quartic means it will have 4 linear factors. The easiest complex roots to deal with are (x+i) and (x-i), and you need to have the conjugate for whichever complex root you pick, so those two satisfy that requirement. Then you just pick two negative zeroes, let's use -1 and -2. Lastly, you can multiply on the outside by -2 to ensure your leading coefficient is -2. From that, we get P(x) = -2(x+1)(x+2)(x+i)(x-i). To sketch it, you need to have the correct end behavior and all intercepts. The x intercepts will be at -1 and -2, since we chose those for our zeroes. Since our function is of even degree, it will go in the same direction on both sides of the graph, and the negative out front means it will be negative in both the positive infinity direction and the negatie infinity direction. Our y intercept comes from the constant term after multiplying it out, which will be 1 x 2 x -2 = -4. Just hit all those points, and you'll have a reasonably accurate sketch. If you also need to multiply it out, deal with the complex roots first, and then just continue distributing until you're done.

Q: in the last question, choice B fits in the explanation for the solution. It crosses (2,0) and (-1,0). If so, why is it not one of the answers?

If you read the explanation more careful, you will see B is not the answer. Because B cuts the x-axis at 2, not touches, as it suppose to; and the curve touches x-axis at -1, not cuts as it suppose to.

Q: The first question is incorrect because if it is a positive leading coefficient and an odd degree it is supposed to go up on the right side and down on the left side.

In this case all the coefficients are real numbers, so they don't have to be positive.

Question 1

In the first question, the y intercept is 2, but the graph of C is of a negative odd-degree polynomial, isn't it? Why is that the answer?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is a neg. odd-degree poly. The question gives very little info, the only thing we know is the y intercept is 2. So that is all we can go off. Since graph C is the ONLY graph with the line crossing the y intercept at 2, that has to be our answer since we have nothing else to go off.
   Now back to the neg. odd-degree poly., If a < 0 (e.g. -7) does the y intercept change? No, and the graph fits, so from the graph we can conclude that 'a' is a negative number. 
 Hope that clears it up for you! Good Luck

Question 2

*At the last question*, I think all of the graphs are wrong. if we look at the leading term, it will be the the product of an even number and an odd number, which means that the leading term will always be even (odd * even = even). Therefore, both of the ends of the graph will be at the same side of the _x-axis_.

Accepted Answer

The first term has an even exponent and the next term has an odd one, thus you would add the exponents NOT multiply them. As such, the degree of this polynomial will be an odd integer, or "odd + even = odd".

For instance, imagine if m = 2 and n = 3, and you expanded the binomials. Then, you would end up with a polynomial with a degree of five.

Question 3

I know there are an infinite array of polynomial equations, but I'll never believe there is a specific one to look like someone scribbling all over the graph paper, like Choice D in Question 3.

Accepted Answer

It is a valid polynomial graph.  Go to desmos.com and use their graphing calculator.  Type in: 
y=0.1(x+1)^3(x-3)^2

You will get a graph very similar to the one that you've commented on.

Question 4

I am really confused on this lesson in general. Is there a video i can watch somewhere?

Accepted Answer

Rewatch the entire section in Algebra 2

Question 5

Where do I look on the site to find information about how to solve this question?

Sketch a quartic function with a leading coefficient of -2, with two negative zeros and two complex roots.

Accepted Answer

I would just create a polynomial that meets those requirements, starting with the factored form. Quartic means it will have 4 linear factors. The easiest complex roots to deal with are (x+i) and (x-i), and you need to have the conjugate for whichever complex root you pick, so those two satisfy that requirement. Then you just pick two negative zeroes, let's use -1 and -2. Lastly, you can multiply on the outside by -2 to ensure your leading coefficient is -2.

From that, we get P(x) = -2(x+1)(x+2)(x+i)(x-i). To sketch it, you need to have the correct end behavior and all intercepts. The x intercepts will be at -1 and -2, since we chose those for our zeroes. Since our function is of even degree, it will go in the same direction on both sides of the graph, and the negative out front means it will be negative in both the positive infinity direction and the negatie infinity direction. Our y intercept comes from the constant term after multiplying it out, which will be 1 x 2 x -2 = -4. Just hit all those points, and you'll have a reasonably accurate sketch.

If you also need to multiply it out, deal with the complex roots first, and then just continue distributing until you're done.

Question 6

in the last question, choice B fits in the explanation for the solution. It crosses (2,0) and (-1,0). If so, why is it not one of the answers?

Accepted Answer

If you read the explanation more careful, you will see B is not the answer. Because B cuts the x-axis at 2, not touches, as it suppose to; and the curve touches x-axis at -1, not cuts as it suppose to.

Question 7

The first question is incorrect because if it is a positive leading coefficient and an odd degree it is supposed to go up on the right side and down on the left side.

Accepted Answer

In this case all the coefficients are real numbers, so they don't have to be positive.

Algebra 2

Course: Algebra 2 > Unit 5

Graphs of polynomials: Challenge problems

What you should be familiar with before taking this lesson

What you will do in this lesson

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