Activity Overview
This Computer Algebra System (CAS) activity encourages students to investigate the characteristics of a polynomial of the first degree, second degree, third degree and fourth degree. Students analyze the expressions, expand them, and graph the polynomials of various degrees.
Before the Activity
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity Print pages 1 - 4 from the attached PDF file for the class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Find the rules for the given polynomials
Enter a cubic expression, expand it, and graph the function
Graph the functions for different values of x
Find the number of times the graph cuts the x-axis
Determine the zeros of the graph of polynomials
Examine the relationship between the zeros and the graphs of the function
Repeat the steps for quartic functions
After the Activity
Students' answer questions on the Activity sheet.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary