Question

Which graph has the same end behavior as the graph of f(x) = –3x^3 – x^2 + 1?

Answer 1

To find out end behavior, we always look at the largest exponent (3 in this case) and the sign of the term with the largest exponent (negative in this case). We can rule out the first two choices because since it is a cubic graph (exponent of 3) the graph will be pointing in opposite directions. Then, the negative tells us that as the x values approache infinity, the y values will approach negative infinity. So the correct answer is the last choice.

Hope this helps