Graphs behave differently at various x-inter cepts. Sometimes the graph will cross over the x-axis at an intercept. Other times the graph will touch the x-axis and bounce off.
Suppose, for example, we graph the function. f(x) = (x+3)(x - 2)²(x+1)³.
Notice in the figure below that the behavior of the function at each of the x-intercepts is different.
