Question

What function is graphed below?

Answer 1

Answer: y = 2x^4

The graph represents a parabolic-looking shape so it's either a quadratic or some even degree polynomial. This rules out y = -2x^3 and y = 2x^3 as they are cubics with odd degrees

The degree of a polynomial is the largest exponent. It determines the end behavior. In this case, both ends are rising upward together. Because they are rising up in the positive y direction, this means that we cannot have y = -2x^4 as the answer. For example, if x = 2 then y = -2*x^4 = -2*2^4 = -32, but the point (x,y) = (2,-32) isn't on the blue curve. So we can rule y = -2x^4 out.

The fact that y = 2x^4 has a positive leading coefficient tells us that the endpoints point upward.