2 What is the least possible degree of the polynomial graphed above?

Calculus: Early Transcendentals
8th Edition
ISBN:9781285741550
Author:James Stewart
Publisher:James Stewart
Chapter1: Functions And Models
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RCC: (a) What is a function? What are its domain and range? (b) What is the graph of a function? (c) How...
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On the educational website, include the following text and explanation of the graph:

---

### Identifying the Degree of a Polynomial from its Graph

**Graph Analysis:**

Below is a graph of a polynomial function:

[Graph Image]

The graph shows the curve of a polynomial that intersects the x-axis at several points and exhibits multiple turning points or changes in direction.

1. **Turning Points:** The graph has 3 turning points visible. Turning points are where the graph changes direction from increasing to decreasing or vice versa.
2. **Intersections with the X-axis:** The graph crosses the x-axis at three distinct points (these are the roots of the polynomial).

**Question:**
What is the least possible degree of the polynomial graphed above?

**Answer Input Box:**

---

**Explanation:**
The least possible degree of a polynomial can be determined by the number of turning points in its graph. The number of turning points is at most \(n-1\) for a polynomial of degree \(n\). 

Since there are 3 turning points in the graph, the least possible degree \(n\) of the polynomial is \(n-1 \geq 3\), which simplifies to \(n \geq 4\).

Thus, the polynomial is at least of degree 4.

--- 

Make sure to provide this background explanation so students can understand the reasoning behind determining the degree of the polynomial from the graph.
Transcribed Image Text:On the educational website, include the following text and explanation of the graph: --- ### Identifying the Degree of a Polynomial from its Graph **Graph Analysis:** Below is a graph of a polynomial function: [Graph Image] The graph shows the curve of a polynomial that intersects the x-axis at several points and exhibits multiple turning points or changes in direction. 1. **Turning Points:** The graph has 3 turning points visible. Turning points are where the graph changes direction from increasing to decreasing or vice versa. 2. **Intersections with the X-axis:** The graph crosses the x-axis at three distinct points (these are the roots of the polynomial). **Question:** What is the least possible degree of the polynomial graphed above? **Answer Input Box:** --- **Explanation:** The least possible degree of a polynomial can be determined by the number of turning points in its graph. The number of turning points is at most \(n-1\) for a polynomial of degree \(n\). Since there are 3 turning points in the graph, the least possible degree \(n\) of the polynomial is \(n-1 \geq 3\), which simplifies to \(n \geq 4\). Thus, the polynomial is at least of degree 4. --- Make sure to provide this background explanation so students can understand the reasoning behind determining the degree of the polynomial from the graph.
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