Graphing Polynomial Functions - f(x) = axⁿ + bx^n-1 + . . . + cx + d

1.) Find intercepts.

· x-intercepts - f(x) = 0

· y-intercepts - f(0)

2.) End behavior of the graph

Two considerations

· leading coefficient

· degree of polynomial

	a > 0	a < 0
n even
n odd

3.) Between the roots (zeros, x-intercepts)

· is graph positive?

· is graph negative?

Check a point in between. As with inequalities, that will tell what happens.