Algebra 2/Trig Honors Chapter 4 Problem Set
Directions: Show all work on a separate sheet of paper and state your answer clearly. Please use graph
paper for problems 14 & 15.
1) Suppose f ( x ) = −2x3 + 9x2 − 1. Describe the end behavior of the graph of the function using proper
notation.
2) Multiply and simplify: ( x + 3)(2x2 − x − 7)
3) Divide using polynomial long division: (6x2 − 5x + 9) ÷ (2x − 1)
4) Divide using synthetic division:
(2x4 − 11x3 + 15x2 + 6x − 18) ÷ ( x − 3)
5) Factor the polynomial completely:
2m3 − 3m2 + 4m − 3
6) True or False? If false, give a counterexample. Suppose g( x ) and h( x ) are polynomials:
a) The degree of g( x ) + h( x ) is their individual degrees added together.
b) The degree of g( x ) · h( x ) is their individual degrees multiplied together.
7) Suppose f ( x ) = 2x3 + 3x2 − 39x − 20. One zero of f is 4. Find the remaining zeros - show all steps.
8) Write a polynomial function in standard form with zeros at x = −3, x = 0 and x = 1 and leading
coefficient -2.
9) You are asked to write a polynomial function of least degree with zeros at x = 2 and x = −3i. What
would be the least degree of the polynomial? Explain without finding the polynomial.
10) The volume V of a shipping box in cubic feet is modeled by V ( x ) = x3 − 2x2 − 19x + 20, where x is
the length of the box.
a) Is x = −4 a reasonable solution? Explain why/why not.
b) Show that x + 4 is a factor of V ( x )
11) Show whether the function is even, odd or neither: g( x ) = 6x4 + 3x3 − 2x2 + 5x + 60
12) You have decided to start a dog-walking business. The table below shows the profits p (in dollars) of
the business during your first 6 years.
Year t 1 2 3 4 5 6
Profit p 7 11 23 49 95 167
a) Use finite differences to show the degree of polynomial model required for the problem. Then, use
Desmos to find the actual model: https://www.desmos.com/calculator/abyd2g6kxx
b) Using your model from part (a), predict your profit after 10 years.
13) Write a cubic function for the graph shown here:
14) Use Desmos to graph the function f ( x ) = x5 − 4x3 + x2 + 2 , then find the following:
• Identify the x-intercepts
• Find the point where the local minimum occurs
• Determine the intervals for which the function is increasing
Please round answers to 3 decimal places.
15) Sketch the graph of a polynomial with the following characteristics:
• f is decreasing when −2 < x < 3
• f is increasing when x < −2 and x > 3
