Polynomial Functions Unit Plan

Assessment For Learning

Games:

1.  Polynomial Match Up -- Barry

Open Ended Questions:

1. Write a third-degree polynomial function. Make a table of values and a graph. Find the x- and y-intercepts.

2.  Write a polynomial function with the following features: it has three distinct zeros; one of the zeros is 1; and it opens from lower right to upper left.

Communication:

1.  Explain how to describe the graph of a polynomial function.

2.  A cubic function of degree 3 can have three zeros.  Explain how to use this fact to graph the function.

3.  Explain why cubic functions are useful for interpolating between known data points.Why are they often not reliable for extrapolating data?