Factor form of polynomials Investigation
BEFORE MOVING ON READ BELOW.
In the worksheet below, you'll be investigating the factor form of polynomials.
Step 1. Tick Linear. Move the a slider back and forth.
Notice how it changes the equation of the function.
Notice how the function moves.
QUESTION: What do you observe about the x-intercept compared to the equation of the line? Write down your observations.
Click RESET SLIDERS then move on.
Step 2. Untick Linear and Tick Quadratic. Move the a and b slider back and forth.
Notice how it changes the equation of the function.
Notice how the function moves.
QUESTION: What do you observe about the x-intercepts compared to the equation of the function? Write down your observations.
Click RESET SLIDERS then move on.
Step 3. Untick Quadratic and Tick Cubic. Move the a, b and c sliders back and forth.
Notice how it changes the equation of the function.
Notice how the function moves.
QUESTION: What do you observe about the x-intercepts compared to the equation of the function? Write down your observations.
Step 4. Before attempting the same process for the quartic function, predict what it will look like. Then follows the same procedure to see if you are correct.