Page 797 - Algebra 1

L E S S O N Graphing Cubic Functions 115
Warm Up
1. Vocabulary The polynomial x - 5x2 + 3x3 - 1 written in form (53) is 3x3 - 5x2 + x - 1.
Find the degree of each polynomial expression and write the polynomial in descending order.
2.8+x2 +2x 3.2x3 -6x+x4 (53) _1 (53)
4. Simplify (125) 3 . (46)
5. Multiple Choice Which value is equivalent to √3 - 34 3 ?
(46)
A 7 B -7 C 114.3 D -114.3
New Concepts
A cubic function is a polynomial function in which the greatest power of any variable is 3. In other words, a cubic function is a polynomial function of degree 3.
The degree of a polynomial function determines many characteristics of its graph.
Function Type
Graph
y
Degree
x-Intercepts (Maximum)
End Behavior
Linear
4
2
x
1
1
Ends go in opposite directions.
-4
-2
2
4
-2
-4
Quadratic
y
4
2
O
x
2
2
Ends go in the same direction.
-4
4
-2
y
Cubic
2
O
x
-2
2
3
3
Ends go in opposite directions.
-4
Reading Math
The equation y = x3 is read, “y is equal to x cubed” or “y is equal to x to the third power.”
Online Connection www.SaxonMathResources.com
782 Saxon Algebra 1