Question

I'm having a really hard time figuring out this Algebra 2 problem, I don't understand it at all. Can someone please help?

Answer 1

There are few features that you can use to sketch any polynomial function

First is to find x-intercepts of that polynomial. x-intercepts are positions x axis at which function f(x) is equal to 0

Second feature is to find first derivative of the function f(x), make it equal to 0 and again find x values that make first derivative equal to 0. after that implement those x values in f(x) to find f(x) for those values. Now you have sets of (x,y)  which are local minimum and maximums of polynomail. Knowing these and with a bit of calculation you can  make a decent skecth of any polynomial.

You can also set x=0 to find y- intercept.