Analysis of the Given Function

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 140 views

What is a Polynomial Function?

A polynomial function is a function that can be written in the form of a sum of terms, where each term is a product of a constant and a variable raised to a non-negative integer power. In other words, a polynomial function is a function that can be written in the form:

f(x) = a_n x^n + a_(n-1) x^(n-1) + ... + a_1 x + a_0

where a_n, a_(n-1), ..., a_1, a_0 are constants, and n is a non-negative integer.

Is the Given Function a Polynomial Function?

The given function is:

h(x) = 5x^4 + 4x^3 + \frac{4}{x}

To determine whether this function is a polynomial function, we need to check if it can be written in the form of a sum of terms, where each term is a product of a constant and a variable raised to a non-negative integer power.

Analysis of the Given Function

The given function has three terms:

5x^4: This term is a product of a constant (5) and a variable (x) raised to a non-negative integer power (4).
4x^3: This term is a product of a constant (4) and a variable (x) raised to a non-negative integer power (3).
\frac{4}{x}: This term is not a product of a constant and a variable raised to a non-negative integer power. It is a fraction with a variable (x) in the denominator.

Conclusion

Since the third term, \frac{4}{x}, is not a product of a constant and a variable raised to a non-negative integer power, the given function is not a polynomial function.

What is the Degree of a Polynomial Function?

If a function is a polynomial function, its degree is the highest power of the variable in the function. For example, in the function f(x) = a_n x^n + a_(n-1) x^(n-1) + ... + a_1 x + a_0, the degree is n.

Is the Degree of the Given Function Relevant?

Since the given function is not a polynomial function, its degree is not relevant.

Final Answer

The final answer is:

A. It is not a polynomial function.

Additional Information

If you are interested in learning more about polynomial functions and their degrees, I recommend checking out the following resources:

Khan Academy: Polynomial Functions
Math Is Fun: Polynomial Functions
Wolfram MathWorld: Polynomial Function

Q: What is a polynomial function?

A: A polynomial function is a function that can be written in the form of a sum of terms, where each term is a product of a constant and a variable raised to a non-negative integer power.

Q: What is the general form of a polynomial function?

A: The general form of a polynomial function is:

f(x) = a_n x^n + a_(n-1) x^(n-1) + ... + a_1 x + a_0

where a_n, a_(n-1), ..., a_1, a_0 are constants, and n is a non-negative integer.

Q: What is the degree of a polynomial function?

A: The degree of a polynomial function is the highest power of the variable in the function. For example, in the function f(x) = a_n x^n + a_(n-1) x^(n-1) + ... + a_1 x + a_0, the degree is n.

Q: How do I determine the degree of a polynomial function?

A: To determine the degree of a polynomial function, you need to identify the highest power of the variable in the function. For example, in the function f(x) = 2x^3 + 3x^2 + x + 1, the highest power of the variable is 3, so the degree of the function is 3.

Q: What is the difference between a polynomial function and a non-polynomial function?

A: A polynomial function is a function that can be written in the form of a sum of terms, where each term is a product of a constant and a variable raised to a non-negative integer power. A non-polynomial function is a function that cannot be written in this form.

Q: Can you give an example of a non-polynomial function?

A: Yes, an example of a non-polynomial function is:

f(x) = 1/x

This function cannot be written in the form of a sum of terms, where each term is a product of a constant and a variable raised to a non-negative integer power.

Q: Why is it important to determine whether a function is a polynomial function or not?

A: It is important to determine whether a function is a polynomial function or not because polynomial functions have many important properties and applications in mathematics and other fields. For example, polynomial functions can be used to model real-world phenomena, such as population growth and chemical reactions.

Q: Can you give some examples of polynomial functions in real-world applications?

A: Yes, here are some examples of polynomial functions in real-world applications:

Population growth: The population of a city can be modeled using a polynomial function, such as P(t) = 1000t^2 + 500t + 2000, where P(t) is the population at time t.
Chemical reactions: The concentration of a chemical in a solution can be modeled using a polynomial function, such as C(t) = 2t^3 + 3t^2 + t + 1, where C(t) is the concentration at time t.
Economics: The demand for a product can be modeled using a polynomial function, such as D(p) = 100p^2 + 50p + 200, where D(p) is the demand at price p.

Q: Where can I learn more about polynomial functions and their applications?

A: You can learn more about polynomial functions and their applications by checking out the following resources:

Khan Academy: Polynomial Functions
Math Is Fun: Polynomial Functions
Wolfram MathWorld: Polynomial Function
Online courses and tutorials on polynomial functions and their applications.

These resources provide a comprehensive introduction to polynomial functions and their applications, including examples, exercises, and interactive tools.