Polynomial Characteristics

Front

What is the degree of a polynomial?

Back

The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable in the polynomial.

Front

How do you determine the number of zeroes in a polynomial?

Back

The number of zeroes (real and imaginary) of a polynomial is equal to its degree.

Front

What does the leading coefficient of a polynomial indicate?

Back

The leading coefficient indicates the direction of the polynomial's end behavior.

Front

What is a cubic polynomial?

Back

A cubic polynomial is a polynomial of degree three.

Front

What is a quadratic polynomial?

Back

A quadratic polynomial is a polynomial of degree two.

Front

What is a quartic polynomial?

Back

A quartic polynomial is a polynomial of degree four.

Front

What is the significance of the y-intercept in a polynomial?

Back

The y-intercept is the point where the polynomial crosses the y-axis, found by evaluating the polynomial at x=0.

Front

What is the end behavior of a polynomial?

Back

The end behavior describes how the values of the polynomial behave as x approaches positive or negative infinity.

Front

How can you identify the leading term of a polynomial?

Back

The leading term is the term with the highest degree in the polynomial.

Front

What is the relationship between the degree of a polynomial and its graph?

Back

The degree of a polynomial affects the number of turns and the overall shape of its graph.