Algebra Examples

$f (x) = 5 x - x^{2} - 2 x^{6} + 3$

Step 1

Identify the degree of the function.

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Step 1.1

Identify the exponents on the variables in each term, and add them together to find the degree of each term.

$5 x \to 1$

$- x^{2} \to 2$

$- 2 x^{6} \to 6$

$3 \to 0$

Step 1.2

The largest exponent is the degree of the polynomial.

$6$

Step 2

Since the degree is even, the ends of the function will point in the same direction.

Even

Step 3

Identify the leading coefficient.

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Step 3.1

Simplify the polynomial, then reorder it left to right starting with the highest degree term.

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Step 3.1.1

Move $5 x$ .

$- x^{2} - 2 x^{6} + 5 x + 3$

Step 3.1.2

Reorder $- x^{2}$ and $- 2 x^{6}$ .

$- 2 x^{6} - x^{2} + 5 x + 3$

Step 3.2

The leading term in a polynomial is the term with the highest degree.

$- 2 x^{6}$

Step 3.3

The leading coefficient in a polynomial is the coefficient of the leading term.

$- 2$

Step 4

Since the leading coefficient is negative, the graph falls to the right.

Negative

Step 5

Use the degree of the function, as well as the sign of the leading coefficient to determine the behavior.

1. Even and Positive: Rises to the left and rises to the right.

2. Even and Negative: Falls to the left and falls to the right.

3. Odd and Positive: Falls to the left and rises to the right.

4. Odd and Negative: Rises to the left and falls to the right

Step 6

Determine the behavior.

Falls to the left and falls to the right

Step 7