Algebra II 8.

Question

Determine the maximum possible number of turning points for the graph of the function
f(x) = (x + 1)(x - 1)( 7x - 1).
Question 8 options:

1) 2

2) 3

3) 0

4) 7

Answer 1

Without even multiplying this out completely, we can see that it's a cubic polynomial and its graph crosses the x-axis at three distinct points (the zeros of the function).

 

The max. # of turning points of a polynomial's graph is equal to the degree, minus one.  So there are two in this case.