Now that you have mastered straight lines, it is time to move on to curves: polynomial and rational functions

We will work on understanding the characteristics and the terminology used to describe these characteristics of basic power and polynomial functions. You will learn to relate the characteristics of the symbolic form of the function with its graphical form.

The most simple polynomials are quadratic functions, with which you should be familiar. Understanding the basic quadratic function and its transformations both symbolically and graphically should not be too difficult, nor should finding the vertex and intercepts of a quadratic function. Solving quadratic equations will also be familiar to you.

Next we will develop a detailed understanding of polynomial functions and the relationship between its symbolic and graphic forms.   From that we will move on to solve polynomial equations and inequalities.

You will learn about a less familiar function called rational functions. We will learn to identify rational functions from their symbolic and graphical form and determine the asymptotes and intercepts of rational functions.

The last topic we cover will be inverses and radical functions, which relates back to section 1.6. The focus will be on finding the inverse of a function, specifically, polynomial, radical and rational functions, and restricting its domain when necessary. 

Course Outcomes: