Barrons AP Calculus - David Bock

FIGURE N1–5a

(b) y = |f (x)|

See Figure N1–5b.

FIGURE N1–5b

(c) y = f (|x|)

See Figure N1–5c.

FIGURE N1–5c

Note how the graphs for (b) and (c) compare with the graph for (a).

C. POLYNOMIAL AND OTHER RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

C1. Polynomial Functions.

A polynomial function is of the form

f (x) = a 0 xn + a 1 xn − 1 + a 2 xn − 2 + · · · + an − 1 x + an,

where n is a positive integer or zero, and the ak’s, the coefficients, are constants. If a 0 ≠ 0, the degree