# Precalculus : Graphs of Polynomial Functions

## Example Questions

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### Example Question #3 : Write The Equation Of A Polynomial Function Based On Its Graph

Write the quadratic function for the graph:

Explanation:

Method 1:

The x-intercepts are .  These values would be obtained if the original quadratic were factored, or reverse-FOILed and the factors were set equal to zero.

For , .  For , .  These equations determine the resulting factors and the resulting function; .

Multiplying the factors and simplifying,

.

Method 2:

Use the form , where is the vertex.

is , so , .

### Example Question #4 : Write The Equation Of A Polynomial Function Based On Its Graph

Write the equation for the polynomial in this graph:

Explanation:

The zeros for this polynomial are .

This means that the factors are equal to zero when these values are plugged in for x.

multiply both sides by 2

so one factor is

multiply both sides by 3

so one factor is

so one factor is

Multiply these three factors:

### Example Question #5 : Write The Equation Of A Polynomial Function Based On Its Graph

Write the equation for the polynomial shown in this graph:

Explanation:

The zeros of this polynomial are . This means that the factors equal zero when these values are plugged in.

One factor is

One factor is

The third factor is equivalent to . Set equal to 0 and multiply by 2:

Multiply these three factors:

The graph is negative since it goes down then up then down, so we have to switch all of the signs:

### Example Question #6 : Write The Equation Of A Polynomial Function Based On Its Graph

Write the equation for the polynomial in the graph:

Explanation:

The zeros of the polynomial are . That means that the factors equal zero when these values are plugged in.

The first factor is or equivalently multiply both sides by 5:

The second and third factors are and

Multiply:

Because the graph goes down-up-down instead of the standard up-down-up, the graph is negative, so change all of the signs:

### Example Question #7 : Write The Equation Of A Polynomial Function Based On Its Graph

Write the equation for the polynomial in this graph:

Explanation:

The zeros for this polynomial are . That means that the factors are equal to zero when these values are plugged in.

or equivalently multiply both sides by 4

the first factor is

multiply both sides by 3

the second factor is

the third factor is

Multiply the three factors:

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