Education Technology

End Behavior of Polynomial Functions

Subject Area
Math: Precalculus: Polynomial, Power, and Rational Functions
Math: AP Precalculus: Polynomial and Rational Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire Version
5.4
Resource Types
Lessons
Exam Prep
Format
TNS

End Behavior of Polynomial Functions

Activity Overview

Students will use a slider to scroll through the graphs of power functions with a coefficient of positive and negative 1 and determine similarities and differences among the functions. Students will generalize the end-behavior properties of various power functions.

Objectives

  • Students will recognize the similarities and differences among power and polynomial functions of various degrees.
  • Students will describe the effects of changes in the leading coefficient on the end behavior of graphs of power and polynomial functions.

Vocabulary

• degree of a polynomial
• end behavior
• leading coefficient
• polynomial function

About the Lesson

In this activity, students will examine several power and polynomial functions to determine their similarities and differences and characteristics of their end behavior.

*Note: This activity contains an optional AP Practice Questions document for those students preparing for the AP Precalculus Exam.

Subject Area
Math: Precalculus: Polynomial, Power, and Rational Functions
Math: AP Precalculus: Polynomial and Rational Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire Version
5.4
Resource Types
Lessons
Exam Prep
Format
TNS
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