Download Word Problem Practice

NAME
DATE
5-4
PERIOD
Word Problem Practice
Analyzing Graphs of Polynomial Functions
1. LANDSCAPES Jalen uses a fourthdegree polynomial to describe the shape
of two hills in the background of a video
game that he is helping to write. The
graph of the polynomial is shown below.
3. VALUE A banker models the expected
value of a company in millions of dollars
by the formula n3 - 3n2, where n is the
number of years in business. Sketch a
graph of v = n3 - 3n2.
v
y
4
2
O
x
-4
-2
2
O
4n
-2
-4
4. CONSECUTIVE NUMBERS Ms. Sanchez
asks her students to write expressions to
represent five consecutive integers. One
solution is x - 2, x - 1, x, x + 1, and
x + 2. The product of these five
consecutive integers is given by the fifth
degree polynomial f(x) = x5 - 5x3 + 4x.
The relative maxima occur at
x = -3.7 and x = 4.5, and the
relative minimum occurs at
x = 0.
a. For what values of x is f(x) = 0?
-2, -1, 0, 1, and 2
2. NATIONAL PARKS The graph models
the cross-section of Mount Rushmore.
b. Sketch the graph of y = f(x).
y
Graph Modeling Mount Rushmore
6
y
4
2
-4
-2
O
2
4x
-2
O
x
What is the smallest degree possible for
the equation that corresponds with
this graph?
8
Chapter 5
27
Glencoe Algebra 2
Lesson 5-4
Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Estimate the x-coordinates at which
the relative maxima and relative
minima occur.